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Species Details

Scopula cacuminaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »

Common NameFrosted Tan Wave SeasonalityThe only Alberta specimen was collected on July 20. IdentificationA small (1.8-2.3 cm wingspan) creamy white to very light tan moth with somewhat pointed forewings and a pointed margin on the hindwings. The wings are speckled with black dots, forming a loose median band with heavier spotting on the outer half of the wings, usually forming dark patches in the anal-angle areas of both sets of wings. There are also a series of black spots on the dorsal abdomen. The small size and the distinctive pattern of black speckling will separate it from other species of Scopula.
Scientific Name Scopula cacuminaria Common Name Frosted Tan Wave Habitat The only Alberta specimen to date was taken on shrubby native grassland on the floodplain of the South Saskatchewan River. Seasonality The only Alberta specimen was collected on July 20. Identification
A small (1.8-2.3 cm wingspan) creamy white to very light tan moth with somewhat pointed forewings and a pointed margin on the hindwings. The wings are speckled with black dots, forming a loose median band with heavier…
A small (1.8-2.3 cm wingspan) creamy white to very light tan moth with somewhat pointed forewings and a pointed margin on the hindwings. The wings are speckled with black dots, forming a loose median band with heavier spotting on the outer half of the wings, usually forming dark patches in the anal-angle areas of both sets of wings. There are also a series of black spots on the dorsal abdomen. The small size and the distinctive pattern of black speckling will separate it from other species of Scopula.
Life History Poorly known. Adults are nocturnal and come to light. Conservation Uncommon in Alberta, but a widespread species. No reason for concern. Diet Info Apparently polyphagous; recorded hosts include lettuce and dandelion (Covell, 1984); and Asteraceae (unknown). Range Across southern Canada from the Maritimes to southern BC, south to Texas. Notes The first (and only) Alberta specimen was collected in southern Alberta in 2005. It was known previously from both Saskatchewan and British Columbia

Citation

Page Citation for Scopula cacuminaria

Page Citation

"Species Details - Scopula cacuminaria, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-6103/9-105249. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

References

Specimen Information

There is 1 specimen of this Species.

1 result plotted on map in 1 marker.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

UASM41306 - Scopula cacuminaria

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bow Island Collected ByAnweiler, G. G. Date Collected2005-07-22

Adult Seasonal Distribution