Common NameDeceptive HypenaSeasonalityAdults on the wing in Alberta in July.IdentificationA medium-size (2.8-3.5 cm wingspan) broad-winged moth. The sexes are dimorphic. The male is slightly larger than the female, and is a dark chocolate or sooty brown color, slightly darker in the median area and paler near the apex of the costa. The antemedian and postmedian lines are narrow but prominently marked in lighter scales, and are straight or nearly so for much of their length. The subterminal line is marked by a series of blackish patches between the veins, defined outwardly with pale crescents or a pale broken line. The orbicular is a black spot, and the reniform is obscure. The hindwings are dark brown, unmarked. The female is patterned like the male, but is paler brown. The terminal half of the forewings are even paler, and contrast with the darker basal half, although not nearly to the extent it does in B. palparia or B. bijugalis, and the separation between the two is almost straight (sinuous in the others). Similar to female B. edictalis, which are darker and have more angled and less defined antemedian and postmedian lines. The antennae are simple in both sexes.
Scientific NameHypena deceptalisCommon Name
Deceptive Hypena
Habitat
Woodlands.
Seasonality
Adults on the wing in Alberta in July.
Identification
A medium-size (2.8-3.5 cm wingspan) broad-winged moth. The sexes are dimorphic. The male is slightly larger than the female, and is a dark chocolate or sooty brown color, slightly darker in the median area and paler…
A medium-size (2.8-3.5 cm wingspan) broad-winged moth. The sexes are dimorphic. The male is slightly larger than the female, and is a dark chocolate or sooty brown color, slightly darker in the median area and paler near the apex of the costa. The antemedian and postmedian lines are narrow but prominently marked in lighter scales, and are straight or nearly so for much of their length. The subterminal line is marked by a series of blackish patches between the veins, defined outwardly with pale crescents or a pale broken line. The orbicular is a black spot, and the reniform is obscure. The hindwings are dark brown, unmarked. The female is patterned like the male, but is paler brown. The terminal half of the forewings are even paler, and contrast with the darker basal half, although not nearly to the extent it does in B. palparia or B. bijugalis, and the separation between the two is almost straight (sinuous in the others). Similar to female B. edictalis, which are darker and have more angled and less defined antemedian and postmedian lines. The antennae are simple in both sexes.
Life History
Adults are nocturnal and come to light.
Conservation
At the extreme western edge of their range; no concerns.
Diet Info
No Alberta data. All Canadian host records (40) are for Basswood (Tilia americana), a species that does not occur in Alberta. Therefore they must use a different, unidentified host here in the west.
Range
Maine and Quebec west across southern Canada to the foothills, south to Georgia and Iowa. In Alberta, it has only been collected on the southern edge of the Aspen parklands, at Olds.
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Citation
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Page Citation for Hypena deceptalis
Page Citation
"Species Details - Hypena deceptalis, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-897. Accessed 08 Dec. 2024.
References
AuthorPrentice, R. M.
TitleForest Lepidoptera of Canada. (1962)
Publication Date1962
Volume2
Pages281
AuthorHandfield, L.
TitleLe guide des papillons du Quebec.
Publication Date1999
Pages536
AuthorForbes, William T. M.
TitleLepidoptera of New York & neighbouring states : Part 3
Publication Date1954
Series TitleCornell University Agricultural Experiment Station. Memoir
Specimen Information
There are 13 specimens of this Species.
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13 results plotted on map in 6 markers. Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.