Species Details

Furcula occidentalis

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

Common NameWillow Kitten SeasonalityAdults are on the wing late April through July, depending on elevation or latitude. IdentificationA medium-size pale grey moth with a dark band and lines crossing the forewing. Very similar to and often mixed in collections with Furcula scolopendrina and F. modesta. The light areas of the forewing are pale pearl grey in occidentalis (white in scolopendrina and pale tan in modesta), and the series of fine, parallel zig-zag lines crossing the outer half of the forewing are sharper and more complete in occidentalis, but usually blurred or incomplete in scolopendrina. Specimens from the foothills and mountains may have to be dissected for positive determination. The male of occidentalis has a much shorter, stouter tip to the uncus than scolopendrina does. Both sexes are similar, but the females are larger and broader-winged, and have filiform antennae (bipectinate in males). Specimens from the mountains are larger and darker, and have been named subspecies gigans.

Scientific Name Furcula occidentalis Common Name Willow Kitten Habitat Deciduous and mixedwood forest and shrubland. Seasonality Adults are on the wing late April through July, depending on elevation or latitude. Identification
A medium-size pale grey moth with a dark band and lines crossing the forewing. Very similar to and often mixed in collections with Furcula scolopendrina and F. modesta. The light areas of the forewing are pale pearl…
A medium-size pale grey moth with a dark band and lines crossing the forewing. Very similar to and often mixed in collections with Furcula scolopendrina and F. modesta. The light areas of the forewing are pale pearl grey in occidentalis (white in scolopendrina and pale tan in modesta), and the series of fine, parallel zig-zag lines crossing the outer half of the forewing are sharper and more complete in occidentalis, but usually blurred or incomplete in scolopendrina. Specimens from the foothills and mountains may have to be dissected for positive determination. The male of occidentalis has a much shorter, stouter tip to the uncus than scolopendrina does. Both sexes are similar, but the females are larger and broader-winged, and have filiform antennae (bipectinate in males). Specimens from the mountains are larger and darker, and have been named subspecies gigans.
Life History The adults are nocturnal and come to light. There appears to be a single brood, which overwinters as pupae. The larvae are solitary defoliators. Conservation A widespread and fairly common insect; no concerns. Diet Info No Alberta data. Elsewhere reported to utilize willows (Salix) and poplars (Populus), with willow the preferred host. Range
Maritimes west across Canada to Vancouver Island, north to southern Yukon. Found throughout the wooded areas of Alberta, from the aspen parklands north to Lake Athabasca, as well as throughout the foothills and lower…
Maritimes west across Canada to Vancouver Island, north to southern Yukon. Found throughout the wooded areas of Alberta, from the aspen parklands north to Lake Athabasca, as well as throughout the foothills and lower elevations of the mountains. Apparently absent from the wooded valleys of the grasslands region.

Citation

Page Citation for Furcula occidentalis

Page Citation

"Species Details - Furcula occidentalis, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-723. Accessed 02 Dec. 2024.

Specimen Information

There are 31 specimens of this Species.

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

UASM187035 - Furcula occidentalis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Marble Canyon Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected1995-05-05

UASM187036 - Furcula occidentalis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Cranbrook Collected ByJanz, L. Date Collected1992-04-28

UASM187037 - Furcula occidentalis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Genelle Collected ByCampbell Date Collected1991-05-23

UASM187038 - Furcula occidentalis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Langley Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected1990-06-03/1990-06-09

UASM187039 - Furcula occidentalis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Enderby Collected ByBorkent, A. Date Collected1996-05-18/1996-05-29

UASM187040 - Furcula occidentalis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Cranbrook Collected ByJanz, L. Date Collected1992-04-04

BIRD33704 - Furcula occidentalis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2010-06-12

BIRD35917 - Furcula occidentalis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2012-07-12

BIRD35918 - Furcula occidentalis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2012-05-26

BIRD35919 - Furcula occidentalis

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2012-05-26

Adult Seasonal Distribution