Common NameOmitted Cucullia; Alberta FalconerIdentificationA medium-size (approximately 4.6-5.0 cm. wingspan) long-winged moth dark grey moth. Most similar to C. florea, but omissa has the costa and lower margin of the forewings darker than the rest of the wing (more evenly colored in florea) and a diffuse brown shade running from the orbicular spot to the apex. Cucullia similaris is paler grey with more contrasting spots. There are also differences in the genitalia. Poole (1995) illustrates the adults and the genitalia of both sexes.
Scientific NameCucullia omissaCommon Name
Omitted Cucullia; Alberta Falconer
Habitat
We know little of its specific habitat, but it likely occurs in meadows and other open habitats, including openings in wooded areas.
Identification
A medium-size (approximately 4.6-5.0 cm. wingspan) long-winged moth dark grey moth. Most similar to C. florea, but omissa has the costa and lower margin of the forewings darker than the rest of the wing (more evenly…
A medium-size (approximately 4.6-5.0 cm. wingspan) long-winged moth dark grey moth. Most similar to C. florea, but omissa has the costa and lower margin of the forewings darker than the rest of the wing (more evenly colored in florea) and a diffuse brown shade running from the orbicular spot to the apex. Cucullia similaris is paler grey with more contrasting spots. There are also differences in the genitalia. Poole (1995) illustrates the adults and the genitalia of both sexes.
Life History
There is a single annual brood, with adults in early summer (late June - mid July). Like other Cucullia species, the adults are nocturnal and they come to light. The early stages have not been described. There is a…
There is a single annual brood, with adults in early summer (late June - mid July). Like other Cucullia species, the adults are nocturnal and they come to light. The early stages have not been described. There is a single host plant record from Nova Scotia, where a specimen was reared from a larva on Aster umbellatus (Mill.) (Asteraceae) (Poole, 1995)
Range
A widespread moth, found from Newfoundland south through central southern BC south to UT. New England in the east to Vancouver Island in the west and south to central NV, northern AZ and CO. In Alberta it has…
A widespread moth, found from Newfoundland south through central southern BC south to UT. New England in the east to Vancouver Island in the west and south to central NV, northern AZ and CO. In Alberta it has apparently been collected only along the mountains, from the Crowsnest Pass area north to Nordegg.
Notes
Dod described Cucullia omissa from specimens collected near Calgary. We have seen no recent specimens, and it is known in Alberta only from a handful of old records. Based on specimens collected in southwestern…
Dod described Cucullia omissa from specimens collected near Calgary. We have seen no recent specimens, and it is known in Alberta only from a handful of old records. Based on specimens collected in southwestern Saskatchewan it should also occur in the grasslands of southern Alberta. Common names that have been used for omisssa include both Omitted Cucullia and Alberta Falconer.
//Citation and Rights Box - in-page ?>
Citation
//Citation and Rights Drawer - slide out ?>
Page Citation for Cucullia omissa
Page Citation
"Species Details - Cucullia omissa, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-6381. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
References
AuthorBowman, K.
TitleAn annotated list of the Lepidoptera of Alberta.
Publication Date1951
Series TitleCanadian Journal of Zoology
Volume29
Pages121-165
AuthorDod, F. H. Wolley
TitleNoctuid Notes From Western Canada, with Description of Two New Species and a Variety.