Common NameDark-spotted Looper MothSeasonalityAdults are on the wing in Alberta in July and August.IdentificationA medium-size (3.1-3.3 cm wingspan) dull orange-brown moth. The forewings, which are pointed, are crossed by several thin brown oblique and nearly straight lines. There is a faint pinkish iridescence band just outside the postmedian line. The reniform and orbicular are also outlined in a thin brown line, and usually filled with slightly darker scales. The hindwings are darker grey brown, unmarked, and with a pale yellow-brown fringe. The antennae are simple and sexes are similar. In the similar Pseudeva purpurigera, the postmedian line turns abruptly toward the costa near the apex, but in aeroides, the postmedian line runs almost straight to the costa.
Scientific NameDiachrysia aeroidesCommon Name
Dark-spotted Looper Moth
Habitat
Woodland edges and clearings, meadows, etc.
Seasonality
Adults are on the wing in Alberta in July and August.
Identification
A medium-size (3.1-3.3 cm wingspan) dull orange-brown moth. The forewings, which are pointed, are crossed by several thin brown oblique and nearly straight lines. There is a faint pinkish iridescence band just outside…
A medium-size (3.1-3.3 cm wingspan) dull orange-brown moth. The forewings, which are pointed, are crossed by several thin brown oblique and nearly straight lines. There is a faint pinkish iridescence band just outside the postmedian line. The reniform and orbicular are also outlined in a thin brown line, and usually filled with slightly darker scales. The hindwings are darker grey brown, unmarked, and with a pale yellow-brown fringe. The antennae are simple and sexes are similar. In the similar Pseudeva purpurigera, the postmedian line turns abruptly toward the costa near the apex, but in aeroides, the postmedian line runs almost straight to the costa.
Life History
Adults are nocturnal and come to light. There is a single brood per year.
Conservation
A fairly common, widespread species; no concerns.
Diet Info
No Alberta data; elsewhere a variety of woody and herbaceous plants in the families Asteraceae, Laminacea and Rosaceae. Possibly a general feeder on herbaceous plants.
Range
Across southern Canada from Newfoundland and Nova Scotia to Vancouver Island, south to California, Utah, Colorado, Texas, Kentucky and North Carolina. In Alberta, it is found from the wooded valleys of the grasslands…
Across southern Canada from Newfoundland and Nova Scotia to Vancouver Island, south to California, Utah, Colorado, Texas, Kentucky and North Carolina. In Alberta, it is found from the wooded valleys of the grasslands region, across the Parklands and the lower foothills and the Cypress Hills, north into the southern Boreal Forest to at least the Ft. Assiniboine and Lac la Biche areas.
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Citation
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Page Citation for Diachrysia aeroides
Page Citation
"Species Details - Diachrysia aeroides, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-899. Accessed 24 Jun. 2022.