Common NameBent-winged Owlet, Variable Snout-MothSeasonalityAdults are on the wing late June and July.IdentificationA small (2.2-3.2 cm wingspan) dark grey-brown or purple brown moth. The male has rather narrow, pointed forewings, with the costa decidedly concave in the center (not as much so in the female). The antemedian and postmedian lines are jagged and rather indistinct, the median line is diffuse, and the subterminal line is narrow and yellowish and stands out against the dark ground. The orbicular is small or absent, and the reniform is larger and much more prominent, especially in the male. The hindwings are as dark as the forewings, crossed by two indistinct darker bands. The antennae are simple and ciliate; both sexes are similar but the female has a broader and less modified forewing.
Scientific NameBleptina caradrinalisCommon Name
Bent-winged Owlet, Variable Snout-Moth
Habitat
Wooded and shrubby areas, especially near water.
Seasonality
Adults are on the wing late June and July.
Identification
A small (2.2-3.2 cm wingspan) dark grey-brown or purple brown moth. The male has rather narrow, pointed forewings, with the costa decidedly concave in the center (not as much so in the female). The antemedian and…
A small (2.2-3.2 cm wingspan) dark grey-brown or purple brown moth. The male has rather narrow, pointed forewings, with the costa decidedly concave in the center (not as much so in the female). The antemedian and postmedian lines are jagged and rather indistinct, the median line is diffuse, and the subterminal line is narrow and yellowish and stands out against the dark ground. The orbicular is small or absent, and the reniform is larger and much more prominent, especially in the male. The hindwings are as dark as the forewings, crossed by two indistinct darker bands. The antennae are simple and ciliate; both sexes are similar but the female has a broader and less modified forewing.
Life History
Adults are nocturnal and come to light.
Conservation
No concerns
Diet Info
No Alberta data. Elsewhere reported to feed on dead deciduous leaves; also Barberry (Berberis), clover (Trifolium) and hickory (Carya) leaves.
Range
Nova Scotia west to British Columbia, south to Arizona. In Alberta, it has been collected from the wooded areas of valeys of the southern grasslands (Milk River) north into the southern Boreal forest to the Lac la Biche area.
Nova Scotia west to British Columbia, south to Arizona. In Alberta, it has been collected from the wooded areas of valeys of the southern grasslands (Milk River) north into the southern Boreal forest to the Lac la Biche area.
Citation
Page Citation for Bleptina caradrinalis
Page Citation
"Bleptina caradrinalis, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-895. Accessed 22 May. 2022.