Species Details

Amphipoea interoceanica

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

Common NameInteroceanic Ear Moth IdentificationA medium-size (2.8-3.5 cm wingspan) moth with rusty-orange forewings and grey-brown hindwings with an orange-brown fringe. The forewings are covered with a network of narrow faint dark lines along the veins and marking the normal lines and spots. The claviform, orbicular and occasionally the reniform spot are filled with lighter yellow-orange, but in most instances the reniform is bright contrasting white. Almost identical to A. americana, but most interoceanica have a white reniform whereas in most Alberta americana it is yellow or orange. The pale filling of the reniform of interoceanica is confined to the outer two-thirds of the reniform, but is more extensive in americana. Many specimens require an examination of the genitalia for positive identification. Both sexes can usually be identified by brushing and do not require dissection. Males of interoceanica lack the long digitus on the valve found in americana. Females of interoceanic have a deep notch on the 7th sternite, absent in americana.

Scientific Name Amphipoea interoceanica Common Name Interoceanic Ear Moth Habitat It is found in and adjacent to wooded areas, meadows and grasslands. Identification
A medium-size (2.8-3.5 cm wingspan) moth with rusty-orange forewings and grey-brown hindwings with an orange-brown fringe. The forewings are covered with a network of narrow faint dark lines along the veins and…
A medium-size (2.8-3.5 cm wingspan) moth with rusty-orange forewings and grey-brown hindwings with an orange-brown fringe. The forewings are covered with a network of narrow faint dark lines along the veins and marking the normal lines and spots. The claviform, orbicular and occasionally the reniform spot are filled with lighter yellow-orange, but in most instances the reniform is bright contrasting white. Almost identical to A. americana, but most interoceanica have a white reniform whereas in most Alberta americana it is yellow or orange. The pale filling of the reniform of interoceanica is confined to the outer two-thirds of the reniform, but is more extensive in americana. Many specimens require an examination of the genitalia for positive identification. Both sexes can usually be identified by brushing and do not require dissection. Males of interoceanica lack the long digitus on the valve found in americana. Females of interoceanic have a deep notch on the 7th sternite, absent in americana.
Life History
The adults are nocturnal and come to light. There is a single brood each year, flying in late summer and early fall. The larvae feed on strawberry (Fragaria) and outbreaks on cultivated strawberries in Manitoba have…
The adults are nocturnal and come to light. There is a single brood each year, flying in late summer and early fall. The larvae feed on strawberry (Fragaria) and outbreaks on cultivated strawberries in Manitoba have been reported (Ayre, 1980). Eggs are laid on dead strawberry leaves in late summer and hatch in early May. The young larvae first feed on fruit stalks and leaf stems, sometimes clipping stems; later, they bore into the crown, killing the plant. The larval stage lasts from late May to mid-July. Outbreaks in Manitoba are sporadic but can be devastating.
Range
Widespread, but the precise range is difficult to ascertain due to confusion of the two species. Amphipoea interoceanica occurs from Newfoundland west to BC, and south to North Carolina and Arizona. In Alberta it has…
Widespread, but the precise range is difficult to ascertain due to confusion of the two species. Amphipoea interoceanica occurs from Newfoundland west to BC, and south to North Carolina and Arizona. In Alberta it has been collected sparingly throughout the parklands and grasslands, west to Calgary.

Citation

Page Citation for Amphipoea interoceanica

Page Citation

"Species Details - Amphipoea interoceanica, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-6323. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Authorship

Name Anweiler, G. G.
Role species page author
Date 2007

References

Specimen Information

There are 38 specimens of this Species.

38 results plotted on map in 24 markers.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

UASM14805 - Amphipoea interoceanica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1940-09-05

UASM14811 - Amphipoea interoceanica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1943-08-21

UASM14815 - Amphipoea interoceanica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lethbridge Collected ByStrickland, Edgar H. Date Collected1925-08-12

UASM14847 - Amphipoea americana

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lethbridge Collected ByStrickland, Edgar H. Date Collected1925-08-21

UASM2277 - Amphipoea interoceanica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Tolman Bridge Provincial Recreational Area Collected ByAnweiler, G. G. Date Collected2001-08-04

UASM24584 - Amphipoea interoceanica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Midnapore Date Collected1915-08-06/1915-08-10

UASM34969 - Amphipoea interoceanica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Castor Collected ByAnweiler, G. G. Date Collected1997-08-02

UASM56880 - Amphipoea interoceanica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Dinosaur Provincial Park Collected ByMacaulay, D. Date Collected2001-08-14

BIRD9604 - Amphipoea interoceanica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Buffalo Lake Conservation Area Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2001-08-04

UASM58845 - Amphipoea interoceanica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Taber Collected ByAnweiler, G. G. Date Collected2005-09-01

UASM128863 - Amphipoea interoceanica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Pakenham Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected2003-08-29

UASM128864 - Amphipoea interoceanica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Pakenham Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected2003-08-19

UASM128865 - Amphipoea interoceanica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Pakenham Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected2003-08-29

UASM128866 - Amphipoea interoceanica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Pakenham Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected2004-08-25

UASM128867 - Amphipoea interoceanica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Pakenham Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected2003-08-19

UASM128868 - Amphipoea interoceanica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Pakenham Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected2005-08-01

UASM128869 - Amphipoea interoceanica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Pakenham Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected2003-08-19

UASM128870 - Amphipoea interoceanica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edgerton Collected ByTroubridge, J.; Anweiler, G. Date Collected2001-08-12

UASM128871 - Amphipoea interoceanica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Bathurst Collected ByWebster, R. Date Collected1994-07-31

UASM128872 - Amphipoea interoceanica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedUnited States: Washington, Pacific county, Long Beach Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected1997-07-24

UASM128873 - Amphipoea interoceanica

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Pakenham Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected2003-08-29

Adult Seasonal Distribution