Species Details
Ypsolopha falciferella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
SeasonalityAdults fly from June to beginning of October, reaching their peak flight in July. Specimens are generally attracted to light.
IdentificationHead and antennae silvery grey, labial palpi porrect, heavily scaled, silvery grey. Thorax and legs silvery grey. Forewings hooked, typical of the genus. Dorsal surface of forewings silvery grey with slight brownish pigmentation. A large golden area is present anteriorly, but does not reach the apex. Some specimens have darker forewings with two faint, thick oblique bands extending from the anterior to the posterior wing margin. Hindwings are grey to light brown, becoming somewhat translucent basally. Ventral wing surfaces, legs and abdomen silvery grey. This is a very distinctive species that cannot be easily confused with the other Alberta species.
Scientific Name
Ypsolopha falciferella
Habitat
A wide variety of habitats, from mixed wood forests, to riparian habitats and semi-arid scrubland.
Seasonality
Adults fly from June to beginning of October, reaching their peak flight in July. Specimens are generally attracted to light.
Identification
Head and antennae silvery grey, labial palpi porrect, heavily scaled, silvery grey. Thorax and legs silvery grey. Forewings hooked, typical of the genus. Dorsal surface of forewings silvery grey with slight brownish…
Head and antennae silvery grey, labial palpi porrect, heavily scaled, silvery grey. Thorax and legs silvery grey. Forewings hooked, typical of the genus. Dorsal surface of forewings silvery grey with slight brownish pigmentation. A large golden area is present anteriorly, but does not reach the apex. Some specimens have darker forewings with two faint, thick oblique bands extending from the anterior to the posterior wing margin. Hindwings are grey to light brown, becoming somewhat translucent basally. Ventral wing surfaces, legs and abdomen silvery grey. This is a very distinctive species that cannot be easily confused with the other Alberta species.
Life History
Unknown. Pupation takes place in elongated silken cocoons. Adults of this species are among the earliest fliers, even before the snow has melted, having been captured as early as the end of April (pers. obs.).
Conservation
Not of concern. This native species can become locally abundant, but never in big enough numbers to cause any observable damage to host plant.
Diet Info
Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana).
Range
A widespread species occurring throughout much of North America, including BC (Scudder & Cannings 2007), Alberta (Bowman 1951), Manitoba (Hargrave Lake, forest insect survey), Saskatchewan (Indian Head, forest insect…
A widespread species occurring throughout much of North America, including BC (Scudder & Cannings 2007), Alberta (Bowman 1951), Manitoba (Hargrave Lake, forest insect survey), Saskatchewan (Indian Head, forest insect survey), Michigan (Nielsen 1998) and Maryland (Line, L., web reference).
Citation
Page Citation for Ypsolopha falciferella
Page Citation
"Species Details - Ypsolopha falciferella, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-6416. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
References
Author
Bowman, K.
Title
An annotated list of the Lepidoptera of Alberta.
Publication Date
1951
Series Title
Canadian Journal of Zoology
Volume
29
Pages
121-165
Author
Scudder, G. G. E. and R. A. Cannings
Title
Lepidoptera and associated orders of British Columbia.
Publication Date
2007
Author
Line, L.
Title
Moths of Maryland.
Publication Date
2008
Author
Nielsen, M.
Title
Preliminary list of Michigan Moths: the Microlepidoptera.
Publication Date
1998
Series Title
Newsletter of the Michigan Entomological Society
Volume
43
Pages
1-14
Specimen Information
There are 47 specimens of this Species.
BIRD32508 - Ypsolopha falciferella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Buffalo Lake Provincial Recreation Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2009-05-23
BIRD32509 - Ypsolopha falciferella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2009-06-13
POHL-13-00127 - Ypsolopha falciferella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Sherwood Park
Collected ByPohl, G. R.
Date Collected2006-10-03
POHL-13-00128 - Ypsolopha falciferella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Sherwood Park
Collected ByPohl, G. R.
Date Collected2000-03-22
POHL-13-00129 - Ypsolopha falciferella
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByPohl, G. R.
Date Collected1997-09-28