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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/2-900/9-48773. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.
References
Author
Lafontaine, J. Donald and Robert W. Poole
Title
Noctuoidea : Noctuidae (part) : Plusiinae
Publication Date
1995
Pages
182
Author
Forbes, William T. M.
Title
The Lepidoptera of New York and neighboring states : Part 1
Publication Date
1923
Series Title
Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station. Memoir
Volume
1
Pages
729
Author
Eichlin, Thomas D. and Hugh B. Cunningham
Title
The Plusiinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) of America north of Mexico, emphasizing genitalic and larval morphology.
Publication Date
1978
Pages
122
Specimen Information
There are 16 specimens of this Species.
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