Species Details

Diachrysia balluca

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

Common NameLarge Brassy Plusia SeasonalityAdults have been collected in Alberta from mid-July through late August. IdentificationA large (4.3-4.8 cm wingspan) grey-brown moth with pointed, almost falcate forewings. The forewings have large patches of dull, metallic green over much of the outer two-thirds. The hindwings are grey brown and are unmarked. Unmistakable. It is possibly the largest member of the subfamily Plusiinae in the world.

Scientific Name Diachrysia balluca Common Name Large Brassy Plusia Habitat Mature poplar and mixedwood forest. Seasonality Adults have been collected in Alberta from mid-July through late August. Identification
A large (4.3-4.8 cm wingspan) grey-brown moth with pointed, almost falcate forewings. The forewings have large patches of dull, metallic green over much of the outer two-thirds. The hindwings are grey brown and are…
A large (4.3-4.8 cm wingspan) grey-brown moth with pointed, almost falcate forewings. The forewings have large patches of dull, metallic green over much of the outer two-thirds. The hindwings are grey brown and are unmarked. Unmistakable. It is possibly the largest member of the subfamily Plusiinae in the world.
Life History Adults are nocturnal and come to light. There is a single brood each year. Conservation Rather local and uncommon but at the northwestern edge of it's range; no concerns. Diet Info
No Alberta data; elsewhere the larvae are reported to utilize a variety of plants, including hops (Humulus lupulus), aspen (Populus tremuloides), wood nettle (Laportea canadensis) and raspberry (Rubus sp.).
No Alberta data; elsewhere the larvae are reported to utilize a variety of plants, including hops (Humulus lupulus), aspen (Populus tremuloides), wood nettle (Laportea canadensis) and raspberry (Rubus sp.).
Range
Nova Scotia west across Alberta to the foothills, south to Kentucky, Georgia and Florida. In Alberta, it has been taken mainly in the aspen-parkland southern Boreal forest edge in the Edmonton region, but has also…
Nova Scotia west across Alberta to the foothills, south to Kentucky, Georgia and Florida. In Alberta, it has been taken mainly in the aspen-parkland southern Boreal forest edge in the Edmonton region, but has also been recorded west to the edge of the foothills at Olds and Gainford. The first Alberta specimen was collected in 1988.

Citation

Page Citation for Diachrysia balluca

Page Citation

"Species Details - Diachrysia balluca, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-900. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Authorship

Name Anweiler, G. G.
Role species page author

References

Specimen Information

There are 16 specimens of this Species.

16 results plotted on map in 8 markers.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

UASM7173 - Diachrysia balluca

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Tofield Collected BySchmidt, B. C. Date Collected1999-08-04

UASM42993 - Diachrysia balluca

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta Collected ByLawrie, D. Date Collected1997-07-29

UASM42994 - Diachrysia balluca

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta Collected ByLawrie, D. Date Collected1997-08-05

UASM42995 - Diachrysia balluca

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta Collected ByLawrie, D. Date Collected1999-08-10

UASM42996 - Diachrysia balluca

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta Collected ByLawrie, D. Date Collected1999-08-11

UASM19651 - Diachrysia balluca

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByLawrie, D. Date Collected1999-08-11

UASM171341 - Diachrysia balluca

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Cooking Lake Date Collected1999-08-01

UASM171342 - Diachrysia balluca

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, One Sided Lake Collected ByRiotte, J. C. Date Collected1962-07-21

UASM171343 - Diachrysia balluca

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, St. Williams Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected2005-08-05

UASM171344 - Diachrysia balluca

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Edmundston Collected ByHensel, H. Date Collected1996-08-25

UASM171345 - Diachrysia balluca

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Edmundston Collected ByHensel, H. Date Collected1999-06-23

UASM171346 - Diachrysia balluca

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Edmundston Collected ByHensel, H. Date Collected1999-09-16

UASM171347 - Diachrysia balluca

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Edmundston Collected ByHensel, H. Date Collected1999-09-16

UASM171348 - Diachrysia balluca

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Edmundston Collected ByHensel, H. Date Collected2000-08-24

UASM171349 - Diachrysia balluca

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Edmundston Collected ByHensel, H. Date Collected2000-08-25

UASM210872 - Diachrysia balluca

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: New Brunswick, Lincoln Collected ByHensel, G. Date Collected2003-07-27

Adult Seasonal Distribution