Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Hyppa Duponchel, 1844
Numbers
5 species in North America (Troubridge & Lafontaine; see Internet References below)
Identification
Additions by TT.
The 5 spp. in this genus are difficult to separate based on adult facies. However, distribution and flight season helps to for separate the 4 species occurring in the far west and the 3 occurring in the east. Thus:
Hyppa potamus is known only from the Yukon and flies in mid-July.
Hyppa brunneicrista ranges from Newfoundland to Alaska and southward in the west to California, Wyoming and Colorado. Flies June-August
Hyppa indistincta occurs from southern Alberta and British Columbia southward to California. Flies July-August.
Hyppa contrasta - Summer Hyppa - ranges from Newfoundland to British Columbia and in the far west southward to Oregon. Flies mainly in July
With experience and having specimens of each to compare, the males of the 3 latter spp. can be separated by the antennae, feathery (strongly bipectinate) in brunneicrista and nore filamentous (weakly bipectinate) in indistincta, and intermediate in contrasta.
The 3 species occurring in the east are readily separated by distribution and flight seasons. Thus:
Hyppa brunneicrista - far northern
Hyppa xylinoides - Common Hyppa - ranges from Nova Scotia to Manitoba and southward in the mountains to Georgia. It is double-brooded with the 1st generation flying from early May-early July and the 2nd generation from late July until late September
Hyppa contrasta - Summer Hyppa - Newfoundland and south, in the mountains, to Georgia in the east. Single brooded with adults flying in July between the 2 broods of Common Hyppa. Can usually be separated from the Common Hyppa when the flight season overlaps by condition of the specimen. Thus in early July, individuals of Common Hyppa are likely to be noticeably worn whereas individuals of Summer Hyppa will be fresh. In late July, the opposite will be seen.
At pesent (April 2006) BG has images of 3 adult Common Hyppa (Ontario-September, Wisconsin - late July and August) and 1 caterpillar (Wisconsin- June).
Range
throughout Canada; in the east, extends southward mainly in the Appalachians to northern Georgia, and in the west extends southward through Washington and Oregon to California
Food
larvae feed on alder, blueberry, mountain heather
Remarks
In 2004 a new species of Hyppa was described by Troubrige & Lafontaine, based on 2 female specimens collected by the authors near Dawson, Yukon in 1985. The species was named potamus (meaning river) because the specimens were found near the Yukon River.
Males of this species are unknown; if you would like to discover something new to science, go to Dawson, Yukon and look for a male Hyppa potamus.
Internet References
PDF doc "Revision of the genus Hyppa with description of a new species" (Troubridge & Lafontaine, 2004)
pinned adult images of 4 of 5 species in North America (CBIF)
