Species Details
Papestra quadrata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
IdentificationA medium-sized moth (wingspan approx. 3.5 cm with dark grey-black forewings with a wide contrasting pale grey or dirty white subterminal band, palest near the lower margin and with well-developed W-mark inwardly marked with 2-3 small black wedges. Basal area, reniform, orbicular and claviform spots large and paler grey than ground. Hindwings grey-brown, darker along the veins and on outer half. Antennae simple. Sexes similar. Male genitalia separated from other Papestra by the clavus noticeably protruding on at least one of the valves; female by the rectangular 7th sternite with little or no notch. Other Papestra are black, grey and white and lack the brown shades of quadrata.
Scientific Name
Papestra quadrata
Habitat
Papestra quadrata is found throughout Alberta wherever trees occur, thus is rare and local in the Grasslands region.
Identification
A medium-sized moth (wingspan approx. 3.5 cm with dark grey-black forewings with a wide contrasting pale grey or dirty white subterminal band, palest near the lower margin and with well-developed W-mark inwardly…
A medium-sized moth (wingspan approx. 3.5 cm with dark grey-black forewings with a wide contrasting pale grey or dirty white subterminal band, palest near the lower margin and with well-developed W-mark inwardly marked with 2-3 small black wedges. Basal area, reniform, orbicular and claviform spots large and paler grey than ground. Hindwings grey-brown, darker along the veins and on outer half. Antennae simple. Sexes similar. Male genitalia separated from other Papestra by the clavus noticeably protruding on at least one of the valves; female by the rectangular 7th sternite with little or no notch. Other Papestra are black, grey and white and lack the brown shades of quadrata.
Life History
Poorly known. Adults are nocturnal and come to light. There is a single annual brood, with adults in spring – early May through mid June, occasional at higher elevations into mid July.
Diet Info
Larvae are solitary feeders on a wide range of trees and shrubs with willows, Buffaloberry (Shepherdia sp.), alder, Trembling aspen, Alpine larch, Lodgepole pine, Jack pine, Douglas fir, gooseberry, and Englemann…
Larvae are solitary feeders on a wide range of trees and shrubs with willows, Buffaloberry (Shepherdia sp.), alder, Trembling aspen, Alpine larch, Lodgepole pine, Jack pine, Douglas fir, gooseberry, and Englemann spruce all reported (Prentice, 1963).
Range
Most common in the west, but has a transcontinental distribution from NS west to coastal BC; north to southern YT and south to CA. Subspecies (?) ingravis was described from Calgary.
Citation
Page Citation for Papestra quadrata
Page Citation
"Species Details - Papestra quadrata, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-6191. Accessed 30 Apr. 2024.
References
Author
McCabe, T. L.
Title
A Reclassification of the Polia complex for North America (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).
Publication Date
1980
Pages
141pp.
Author
Prentice, R. M.
Title
Forest Lepidoptera of Canada. (1963)
Publication Date
1963
Volume
3
Pages
281
Specimen Information
There are 108 specimens of this Species.
UASM16449 - Papestra quadrata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1919-06-01
UASM16450 - Papestra quadrata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Red Deer
Collected ByWhitehouse, F. C.
Date Collected1916-05-04
UASM24056 - Papestra quadrata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edgerton
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2002-06-01/2002-06-02
UASM24729 - Papestra quadrata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Dillberry Lake Provincial Park, Dillberry Lake Provincial Park campground
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2002-05-19
UASM34765 - Papestra quadrata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Caribou Mountains Wildland Park, Wentzel Lake
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.; Schmidt, B. C.
Date Collected2003-06-14
UASM34766 - Papestra quadrata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Caribou Mountains Wildland Park, Wentzel Lake
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.; Schmidt, B. C.
Date Collected2003-06-14
UASM34877 - Papestra quadrata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Redwater
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1998-05-02
UASM41804 - Papestra quadrata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Colin-Cornwall Lakes Wildland Park
Collected ByMacaulay, D.
Date Collected2000-06-12
UASM41805 - Papestra quadrata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Colin-Cornwall Lakes Wildland Park
Collected ByMacaulay, D.
Date Collected2000-06-12
UASM41806 - Papestra quadrata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Colin-Cornwall Lakes Wildland Park
Collected ByMacaulay, D.
Date Collected2002-06-08
UASM58264 - Papestra quadrata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kleskun Hills Natural Area
Collected BySchmidt, B. C.
Date Collected2000-06-03
UASM57169 - Papestra quadrata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edgerton
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2004-06-01
UASM78222 - Papestra quadrata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, Gardiner Lakes
Collected ByMacaulay, D. A.; Macaulay, S. H.
Date Collected2004-07-14
BIRD12314 - Papestra quadrata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, J.J. Collett Natural Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-05-28
BIRD12315 - Papestra quadrata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, J.J. Collett Natural Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-05-28
BIRD12316 - Papestra quadrata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, J.J. Collett Natural Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-05-28
BIRD12317 - Papestra quadrata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-06-04
BIRD12318 - Papestra quadrata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-06-04
BIRD12319 - Papestra quadrata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, James-Wilson Provincial Recreation Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2003-05-31
BIRD12320 - Papestra quadrata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, James-Wilson Provincial Recreation Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2003-05-31
BIRD15716 - Papestra quadrata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, McKenzie Crossing
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2005-05-12