National Moth Week 2012, July 23-29
Click here for summary of submission to iNaturalist
News about NMW 2012:
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National Moth Week Survey 2012
On July 27th, 2012, a few members of the Alberta Lepodopterist’s Guild came out to the Devonian Botanic Gardens to survey moths for National Moth Week. “Moth’ers” in attendance: Dave Lawrie, Gary Anweiler, Bruce Christensen and Rob Hughes. Also in attendance: Hovind Family, Cody, Melissa, and Jared; Ellen Christensen; Kent Zocchi; Ron and Marlene Ramsey; Miron Family, Gaston, Kim, Ashley, Liam, Maddy, Emma; Kristin Walsh; Kagume Family, Krista, Jemma, Toby and Sahara.
The Devonian Botanic Gardens is located just 25 km from the outskirts of west Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The gardens has a 40 year history of 11,000 plant species blooming from very early to late in the season, it is pesticide free, and boasts in diverse woodland, crop and field habitats and multiple soil types from bog to sand ridge.
The evening weather was hot and humid of, the day time high at 28C. As the scientists set up their equipment, families had the opportunity to go ponding for aquatic invertebrates and frogs. We explored the Milkweed looking for Monarch caterpillars, a rare site this far north in Alberta. Not only did we find Monarch caterpillars and adult females depositing eggs on the Milkweed, but several species of pollinators were observed and discussed. After the initial excitement of arriving wore off and all that was left to do was wait for dark, we sat and enjoyed a hot dog roast by the DBG’s Calla Pond. A beauty of a moth showed up at dusk and instantly changed our relaxed demeanor into excitement, the Four Spotted Ghost Moth (Sthenopis purpurascens).
There was an overshadowing of a possible summer evening thunderstorm approaching from the west, the perfect conditions for moth’ing, according to Gary. He was right! Excitement and anticipation turned to seriousness and awe as we intently gazed at the illuminated white sheets overwhelmed by hundreds of moths. It was estimated that there were approx. 140 species observed, with 54 species of macro moths affirmatively identified.
Not all moths are attracted to light traps, therefore we also used bait. The sugaring recipe used at this event was a basic beer and brown sugar mixture. The children participating in this event used foam paint brushes to apply the bait to poplar and birch trees and stood by with flashlights waiting. It didn’t take long before the trees started to get covered. Not only did this bait work for moths, but it also attracted several species of butterflies the next day.
Macro Moth Species List for July 27, 2012 @ Devonian Botanic Gardens:
Four Spotted Ghost Moth (Sthenopis purpurascens)
Lettered Habrosyne (Habrosyne scripta)
Tufted Thyatirid (Pseudothyatira cymatophoroides)
Itame occiduaria
Yellow Dusted Cream (Caera erythemaria)
Pale Beauty (Campaea perlata)
Friendly Probole (Probole amicaria)
Sharp Lined Yellow Moth (Sicya macularia)
Maple Spanworm Moth (Prochoerodes transversata)
Wavy Lined Emerald (Synchlora aerate)
Hydriomena sp
Fragile White Carpet Moth (Hydrelia albifera)
Ecliptotera suliceata
Sigmoid Prominent (Clostera albosigma)
White Dotted Prominent (Nadata gibbosa)
Black Rimmed Prominent (Pheosia rimosa)
Northern Finned Prominent (Notodonta simplaria)
Scarlet Winged Lichen Moth (Hypoprepia miniata)
Parthenice Tiger Moth (Grammia parthenice)
Common Idia (Idia aemula)
Large Bomolocha Moth (Hypena edictalis)
Clover Looper Moth (Caenurgina crassiuscula)
White Underwing (Catacala relicta)
Once Married Underwing (Catacala unijunga)
Briseis Underwing (Catacala briseis)
Semirelict Underwing (Catacala semirelicta)
Charming Underwing (Catacala blandula)
Spectacled Nettle Moth (Abrostola urentis)
Hologram Moth (Diachrysia balluca)
Polychrysia esmeralda
Two Spotted Looper (Autographa bimaculata)
Large Looper (Autographa ampla)
Hooked Silver Y (Syngrapha alias)
White Streaked Looper (Plusia venusta)
Unmarked Dagger(Acronicta innotata)
Impressed Dagger (Acronicta impressa)
Glassy Cutworm (Apamea devastator)
Lesser Eyed Sallow (Enargia infumata)
Even Eyed Sallow (Ipimorpha pleonectusa)
Homohadena infixa
Dusky Hooded Owlet (Cucullia intermedia)
Purple Arches Moth (Polia purpurissata)
Olive Arches Moth (Lacinipolia olivacea)
Lesser Wainscot Moth (Aletia oxygala)
Wainscot Moth (Leuconia insueta)
Sordid Dart Moth (Euxoa mimallonis)
Clandestine Dart Moth (Spaelotis clandestina)
Great Brocade (Eurois occulta)
Lesser Black Letter Moth (Xestia c-nigrum)
Greater Black Letter Moth (Xestia dolosa)
Collared Dart Moth (Agnorisma bugrai)
Green Arches Moth (Anaplectoides prasina)
Dappled Dart Moth (Anaplectoides pressus)
Catacaline Dart Moth (Cryptocala acadiensis)