IdentificationA medium size (approx. 3.5 cm wingspan) pale buff-brown moth. Forewings with a prominent basal and much finer postmedian line and with a broad diffuse dark terminal band. The basal third of the wing is suffused with a light dusting of blackish scales. Hindwings lighter brown, with the dark terminal band only continuing down from the forewings. Very similar to the larger O.chorda Grt., which has a much lighter median area and terminal band. Adults and genitalia of both species are illustrated in Troubridge & Crabo (1999).
Scientific NameOncocnemis extremisHabitat
They frequent dry open or semi-open habitat at low elevations in the mountains. The Alberta specimens were collected in open forest on a rocky south-facing slopes.
Identification
A medium size (approx. 3.5 cm wingspan) pale buff-brown moth. Forewings with a prominent basal and much finer postmedian line and with a broad diffuse dark terminal band. The basal third of the wing is suffused with a…
A medium size (approx. 3.5 cm wingspan) pale buff-brown moth. Forewings with a prominent basal and much finer postmedian line and with a broad diffuse dark terminal band. The basal third of the wing is suffused with a light dusting of blackish scales. Hindwings lighter brown, with the dark terminal band only continuing down from the forewings. Very similar to the larger O.chorda Grt., which has a much lighter median area and terminal band. Adults and genitalia of both species are illustrated in Troubridge & Crabo (1999).
Life History
Almost nothing is known including the larva and larval hostplants. Adults are nocturnal and come to light. There is a single brood, which flies in late summer. The Alberta specimens (worn) were collected of August 14.
Range
Oncocnemis extremis has a western distribution, from extreme southwestern Alberta and southern BC, south through WA and south to at least UT and CA. BC records of O. chorda (in ones, 1951) refer to O. extremis Sm.,…
Oncocnemis extremis has a western distribution, from extreme southwestern Alberta and southern BC, south through WA and south to at least UT and CA. BC records of O. chorda (in ones, 1951) refer to O. extremis Sm., which was treated as a subspecies of chorda until recently (Troubridge and Crabo, [1999]).
Notes
A series of 6-8 specimens collected at Waterton Lakes National Park in 2006 are the first report of this species from Alberta.
Citation
Page Citation for Oncocnemis extremis
Page Citation
"Oncocnemis extremis, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-6086. Accessed 21 May. 2022.