Species Details

Furcula scolopendrina

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

Common NamePoplar Kitten SeasonalityAdults on the wing late May through early August. IdentificationThe most common and widespread Alberta Kitten Moth. A medium-size (3.5-4.5 cm wingspan) white moth with a wide black median band and black lines and dots crossing the forewings, and with a large back patch on the forewing apex. Hindwings with a black discal mark and a wide but somewhat diffuse dark median band. Both sets of wings have a row of prominent black marginal dots between the veins. Scolopendrina differs from modesta by the white rather than light tan forewings and the small patches of gold or orange scales on the outer edge of the median band where it crosses the veins (absent in modesta). Scolopendrina is very similar to the large form of F. occidentalis, which occurs in the mountains and foothills. Many male specimens from the foothills and mountains need to be dissected for positive determination, especially if the specimens are greased. The tip of the uncus is longer and thinner in scolopendrina than in occidentalis. Specimens from the grasslands region are smaller and have reduced black markings compared to those from the parklands, foothills and boreal forest areas.

Scientific Name Furcula scolopendrina Common Name Poplar Kitten Habitat Deciduous woodlands and shrub. Seasonality Adults on the wing late May through early August. Identification
The most common and widespread Alberta Kitten Moth. A medium-size (3.5-4.5 cm wingspan) white moth with a wide black median band and black lines and dots crossing the forewings, and with a large back patch on the…
The most common and widespread Alberta Kitten Moth. A medium-size (3.5-4.5 cm wingspan) white moth with a wide black median band and black lines and dots crossing the forewings, and with a large back patch on the forewing apex. Hindwings with a black discal mark and a wide but somewhat diffuse dark median band. Both sets of wings have a row of prominent black marginal dots between the veins. Scolopendrina differs from modesta by the white rather than light tan forewings and the small patches of gold or orange scales on the outer edge of the median band where it crosses the veins (absent in modesta). Scolopendrina is very similar to the large form of F. occidentalis, which occurs in the mountains and foothills. Many male specimens from the foothills and mountains need to be dissected for positive determination, especially if the specimens are greased. The tip of the uncus is longer and thinner in scolopendrina than in occidentalis. Specimens from the grasslands region are smaller and have reduced black markings compared to those from the parklands, foothills and boreal forest areas.
Life History Adults are nocturnal and come to light. The larvae are solitary defoliators. There appears to be at least a partial second brood, especially in the southern part of the province. They overwinter as pupae. Conservation No needs or concerns. Diet Info No Alberta data. Elsewhere in Canada reported from trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) and willows (Salix). Range
Quebec west to Vancouver Island, south to California. In Alberta, it occurs in wooded habitats from the valleys of the grasslands north into the southern boreal forest, as well as throughout the foothills and lower…
Quebec west to Vancouver Island, south to California. In Alberta, it occurs in wooded habitats from the valleys of the grasslands north into the southern boreal forest, as well as throughout the foothills and lower elevations in the mountains. It apparently does not occur as far north as does F. occidentalis.
Furcula scolopendrina
Furcula scolopendrina
Furcula scolopendrina

Citation

Page Citation for Furcula scolopendrina

Page Citation

"Species Details - Furcula scolopendrina, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-741. Accessed 02 Dec. 2024.

Specimen Information

There are 136 specimens of this Species.

136 results plotted on map in 57 markers.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

BIRD2354 - Furcula scolopendrina

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Trochu Collected ByMengersen, E. Date Collected2000-07-03/2000-07-04

BIRD2355 - Furcula scolopendrina

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2000-06-17

BIRD2356 - Furcula scolopendrina

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2000-07-11

BIRD2357 - Furcula scolopendrina

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2001-06-14

BIRD2358 - Furcula scolopendrina

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2001-06-14

BIRD2359 - Furcula scolopendrina

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Crowsnest Pass, Island Lake Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2001-06-30

BIRD2360 - Furcula scolopendrina

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Crowsnest Pass, Island Lake Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2001-07-01

BIRD2361 - Furcula scolopendrina

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Crowsnest Pass, Island Lake Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2001-07-01

BIRD2362 - Furcula scolopendrina

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nevis Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2002-06-14

BIRD2363 - Furcula scolopendrina

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, J.J. Collett Natural Area Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2002-06-21

BIRD2364 - Furcula scolopendrina

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, J.J. Collett Natural Area Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2002-06-21

BIRD2365 - Furcula scolopendrina

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2002-06-22

BIRD2366 - Furcula scolopendrina

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nevis Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2002-06-25

BIRD2367 - Furcula scolopendrina

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nevis Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2002-06-25

BIRD2368 - Furcula scolopendrina

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Stettler Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2002-07-02

BIRD2369 - Furcula scolopendrina

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2002-07-03

BIRD2370 - Furcula scolopendrina

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2002-07-20

BIRD2371 - Furcula scolopendrina

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2003-06-14

UASM58110 - Furcula scolopendrina

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Holmes Crossing Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.; Macaulay, D. Date Collected2004-06-26

UASM58305 - Furcula scolopendrina

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park Collected ByAnweiler, G. G. Date Collected1999-06-15

UASM56888 - Furcula scolopendrina

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByAnweiler, G. G. Date Collected1996-07-13

Adult Seasonal Distribution