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Species Details
Phalaenophana pyramusalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameDark-banded Owlet
SeasonalityAdults are on the wing in June and July.
IdentificationA small (2.1-2.5 cm. wingspan) delicate pale tan or grey-brown moth. The forewings are crossed by several poorly defined bands, with the subterminal widest and darkest. The upper half of the outer margin of the forewings is slightly excavated, and the apex comes to a small point as a result. The orbicular is indicated by a few dark scales. The reniform is a small dark dot, with a second similar dot mirroring it just below. The hindwings are slightly paler with indistinct bands. Both fore and hindwings have a thin, dark terminal line. Both sexes are similar, but the male antennae have sparse long bristles while the females are simple. The two small dots at the reniform are the best identification mark. This moth superficially looks more like a small geometrid than a noctuid.
Scientific Name
Phalaenophana pyramusalis
Common Name
Dark-banded Owlet
Habitat
Damp wooded areas.
Seasonality
Adults are on the wing in June and July.
Identification
A small (2.1-2.5 cm. wingspan) delicate pale tan or grey-brown moth. The forewings are crossed by several poorly defined bands, with the subterminal widest and darkest. The upper half of the outer margin of the…
A small (2.1-2.5 cm. wingspan) delicate pale tan or grey-brown moth. The forewings are crossed by several poorly defined bands, with the subterminal widest and darkest. The upper half of the outer margin of the forewings is slightly excavated, and the apex comes to a small point as a result. The orbicular is indicated by a few dark scales. The reniform is a small dark dot, with a second similar dot mirroring it just below. The hindwings are slightly paler with indistinct bands. Both fore and hindwings have a thin, dark terminal line. Both sexes are similar, but the male antennae have sparse long bristles while the females are simple. The two small dots at the reniform are the best identification mark. This moth superficially looks more like a small geometrid than a noctuid.
Life History
Little information available. The adults are nocturnal and come to light.
Conservation
No obvious concerns.
Diet Info
The larvae are reported to feed on wilted or dead leaves, and on leaves black with decay.
Range
Eastern North America, west across Canada to central Saskatchewan and central Alberta. In Alberta it has been collected along the southern part of the Boreal forest, west to Edmonton.
Citation
Page Citation for Phalaenophana pyramusalis
Page Citation
"Species Details - Phalaenophana pyramusalis, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-661/9-83786. Accessed 25 Jun. 2024.
Specimen Information
There are 44 specimens of this Species.
BIRD5135 - Phalaenophana pyramusalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2003-06-07
BIRD5136 - Phalaenophana pyramusalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2003-06-14
BIRD5137 - Phalaenophana pyramusalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2003-06-14
BIRD5138 - Phalaenophana pyramusalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2004-06-10
UASM78346 - Phalaenophana pyramusalis
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 Collected2004-07-07
UASM78347 - Phalaenophana pyramusalis
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
BIRD14962 - Phalaenophana pyramusalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2005-06-10
BIRD14963 - Phalaenophana pyramusalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2005-06-10
BIRD14964 - Phalaenophana pyramusalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2005-06-25
BIRD14965 - Phalaenophana pyramusalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2005-06-25
BIRD17967 - Phalaenophana pyramusalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2006-06-03
UASM59663 - Phalaenophana pyramusalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Caribou Mountains Wildland Park, Wentzel Lake
Collected BySchmidt, B. C.; Anweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2003-06-12/2003-06-16
UASM186637 - Phalaenophana pyramusalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Tofield
Collected BySchmidt, B. C.
Date Collected2000-06-28
UASM186638 - Phalaenophana pyramusalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Tofield
Collected BySchmidt, B. C.
Date Collected2000-06-05
UASM186639 - Phalaenophana pyramusalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Saint-Basile
Collected ByHensel, H.
Date Collected2000-06-16
UASM186640 - Phalaenophana pyramusalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Saint-Basile
Collected ByHensel, H.
Date Collected2000-06-19
UASM186641 - Phalaenophana pyramusalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Peace River
Collected ByBone, S.
Date Collected2003-06-05
UASM186642 - Phalaenophana pyramusalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Imperial Mills
Collected BySchmidt, B. C.
Date Collected2001-06-27
BIRD33765 - Phalaenophana pyramusalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rochon Sands Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2010-06-02
BIRD33766 - Phalaenophana pyramusalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2010-07-10
BIRD36839 - Phalaenophana pyramusalis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2013-06-01