Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Syngrapha alias (Ottolengui, 1902)
Autographa alias Ottolengui, 1902
syn. Autographa interalia Ottolengui, 1919
* phylogenetic sequence #931225
Size
forewing length 14-16 mm (Pogue, 2005)
(1)Identification
Syngrapha abstrusa,
alias,
cryptica and
rectangula cannot be reliably separated using DNA barcoding, PLoS ONE 12(6): e0178548; Supplementary Table S8
(2). Examiantion of genitalia is usually required.
"... In general, abstrusa is a little smaller than alias, the central silver spots usually are separated, the pattern seems more reticulated than in alias and the pale areas have a slight violet tint, whereas alias averages larger, the silver spots usually are fused, and often there is a brownish patch in the medial area just beyond and below the silver patch. The male genitalia are different and the differences can often be seen without dissection if the two valves are a little protruding, or separated slightly, so you can brush away the scales and look between the valves. The long clasper almost reached the dorsal margin of the valve, whereas in alias it is hard to find because if your brushing the tails because it's so small. Also the end of the valve is more foot-shaped with a tiny "neck" so it often breaks when you brush the tails, unlike in abstrusa." - C. Schmidt & D. Lafonataine (pers. comm., 03/5/2018)
Range
Newfoundland to Alaska; south to New York, Wisconsin, and California; Rocky Mountains south to Arizona (Eichlin & Cunningham, 1978).
(3)Habitat
Coniferous and mixedwood forest (E.H. Strickland Museum).
Season
Adults fly July through August (E.H. Strickland Museum).
Food
Larvae feed on a variety of conifers but most often associated with white spruce (Picea glauca) and balsam fir (Abies balsamifera) (E.H. Strickland Museum).
Life Cycle
Overwinter as larva (E.H. Strickland Museum).
See Also
S. abstrusa, which, in the north, at least, generally flies earlier (June) and prefers drier habitats (E.H. Strickland Museum).
Print References
Eichlin, T. D. & H. B. Cunningham 1978. The Plusiinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) of America north of Mexico, emphasizing genitalic and larval morphology. USDA Tech. Bulletin 1567: 1-122 (
PDF)
(3)
Ottolengui, R. 1902.
Plusia and allied genera with descriptions of new species. Jl. N.Y. Ent. Soc. 10(2):
69
Ottolengui, R. 1919. Notes on the Plusiinae, with descriptions of new species and races. Jl. New York Ent. Soc. 27(3-4): pl.
15, f.6
Pogue, M. G. 2005. The Plusiinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Zootaxa 1032: 1–28 (
PDF download)
(1)
