SeasonalityMost Alberta records are from late June through the end of July, with scattered collections from early June to late September.IdentificationA small (17-24 mm wingspan) broad-winged grey-brown moth, usually with all 5 soft, waved lines crossing both wings, the median and postmedian most prominent. There is a small dark discal dot on each wing. The head and frons are entirely dark brown, without any of the white scaling found on the similar S. frigidaria. There is a large hairbrush on the mesothoracic tibia. The genitalia of both sexes are described and illustrated in McGuffin (1967).
Scientific NameScopula inductataHabitat
Wooded and shrubby areas.
Seasonality
Most Alberta records are from late June through the end of July, with scattered collections from early June to late September.
Identification
A small (17-24 mm wingspan) broad-winged grey-brown moth, usually with all 5 soft, waved lines crossing both wings, the median and postmedian most prominent. There is a small dark discal dot on each wing. The head and…
A small (17-24 mm wingspan) broad-winged grey-brown moth, usually with all 5 soft, waved lines crossing both wings, the median and postmedian most prominent. There is a small dark discal dot on each wing. The head and frons are entirely dark brown, without any of the white scaling found on the similar S. frigidaria. There is a large hairbrush on the mesothoracic tibia. The genitalia of both sexes are described and illustrated in McGuffin (1967).
Life History
Adults are nocturnal and come to light. The eggs hatch in 4-6 days, there are 5 larval instars, and a pupal period of about 10 days. Hibernates as a late instar larvae or pupae (McGuffin, 1967)
Conservation
A fairly common widespread species, thus no concerns.
Diet Info
Recorded larval hosts encompass a range of plants, including chickweed (probably aster, clover (Trifolium sp.), ragweeds (Ambrosia), sweet clover (Meliotus), and various Prunus sp. (Covell, 1984)
Range
Transcontinental, from Newfoundland to the coast of BC, north to the Northwest Territories, south to Alabama and at least Utah. S. inductata has been collected throughout most of Alberta.
Citation
Page Citation for Scopula inductata
Page Citation
"Species Details - Scopula inductata, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-6106/9-18683. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
References
AuthorCovell, C. V., Jr.
TitleA field guide to the moths of eastern North America.
Publication Date1984
Pages496
AuthorCovell, C. V., Jr.
TitleA revision of the North American species of the genus Scopula (Lepidoptera: Geometridae).
Publication Date1970
Series TitleTransactions of the American Entomological Society
Volume96
Pages101-221
AuthorMcGuffin, W. C.
TitleGuide to the Geometridae of Canada (Lepidoptera): I. Subfamily Sterrhinae
Publication Date1967
Series TitleMemoirs of the Entomological Society of Canada
Volume50
Pages67
Specimen Information
There are 122 specimens of this Species.
122 results plotted on map in 64 markers. Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.