Autographa sansoni
| Alberta beauty | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Superfamily: | Noctuoidea |
| Family: | Noctuidae |
| Genus: | Autographa |
| Species: | A. sansoni
|
| Binomial name | |
| Autographa sansoni Dod, 1910
| |
Autographa sansoni, the Alberta beauty, is a moth of the family Noctuidae.[1][2] The species was first described by F. H. Wolley Dod in 1910.[3] It is found in the western mountains of North America, from Alaska south to Oregon, Idaho and Arizona. Occurring mainly in the Pacific Northwest, it thrives in mid-to-high elevation conifer forest habitat, as well as some areas of coastal rain forest in the Coast range.[4] However, it is also found in a non-contiguous range in sub-alpine forest in the Rocky Mountains, ranging from Alberta in the north, to New Mexico in the south.[4] The wingspan of an adult ranges between 34 and 36 mm. It is widespread, and a relatively common species.
Behaviour[edit]
Adults are on the wing from June to July, depending on the location.[1] Adult females of the species lay a single brood of eggs each year. The moth is nocturnal, and will be attracted to lights.[1] The plants upon which the moths' larvae feed are currently unknown.[4]
Description[edit]
The two forewings are a dark shade of brown, whilst both hindwings are a much lighter shade of yellow, tipped with a wide marginal band of a darker yellow-brown shade.[4] The forewing culminates in a rounded point, while the hindwing is more curved.[4] There is also a curved white mark, curving from the anterior edge towards the outer edge.[4] The species is identifiable through these characteristics, as well as the possession of a curved stigma. While the species shows some sexual dimorphism, the sexes are still hard to distinguish.[1] The antenna of the male is filiform.[4] The thorax is a darker shade than the abdomen, although both shades are intermediary to those of the wings.[4]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d Anweiler, G. G. & Robinson, E. "Species Details Autographa sansoni". University of Alberta Museums. E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
- ^ Noctuoidea: Noctuidae (part): Plusiinae, The Moths of America north of Mexico, including Greenland. Lafontaine, J. Donald and Robert W. Poole, 1995, Wedge Entomological Research Foundation, ISBN 0933003064
- ^ Savela, Markku, ed. (29 August 2020). "Autographa sansoni Dod, 1910". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Autographa sansoni Dod, 1910". Pacific Northwest Moths. p. 93-1207. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
External links[edit]
- "931207.00 – 8910 – Autographa sansoni – Dod, 1910". North American Moth Photographers Group. Mississippi State University. Retrieved 12 November 2020.