Autographa sansoni
| Autographa sansoni | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Noctuidae |
| Genus: | Autographa |
| Species: | A. sansoni |
| Binomial name | |
| Autographa sansoni Dod, 1910 | |
Autographa sansoni (commonly known by the name Alberta Beauty) is a moth of the family Noctuidae.[1] 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.[2] However, it is also found in a non-contiguous range in sub-alpine forest in the Rocky Mountains, ranging from the state of Alberta in the north, to New Mexico in the south.[2] The wingspan of an adult ranges between 34 and 36 mm. It is widespread, and a relatively common species.
Behaviour
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.[2]
Description
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.[2] The forewing culminates in a rounded point, while the hindwing is more curved.[2] There is also a curved white mark, curving from the anterior edge towards the outer edge.[2] 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.[2] The thorax is a darker shade than the abdomen, although both shades are intermediary to those of the wings.[2]