Conservation Status
provided by University of Alberta Museums
Uncommon at the northwestern edge of their range in Alberta.
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- University of Alberta Museums
Cyclicity
provided by University of Alberta Museums
Adults have been collected in Alberta in August.
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- University of Alberta Museums
Distribution
provided by University of Alberta Museums
An eastern species, occurring from New Brunswick west across southern Canada to western Alberta, south to Arizona, New Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico. In Alberta it has been collected in the dryer southern part of the province, north to about Calgary and Dinosaur Provincial Park.
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- University of Alberta Museums
General Description
provided by University of Alberta Museums
"A relatively large Abagrotis (3.8-4.3 cm wingspan). The forewings of males are dark red-brown, while those of females are usually lighter orange-brown. The markings consist of faint, doubled antemedian and postmedian lines, and a small oval orbicular and an elongate vertical reniform, both finely outlined in pale yellow-brown scales and at least partially filled with grey scales. The terminal area is usually paler and sharply defined from the remainder of the wing. The hindwings are dull brown-black with orange-brown fringe. The large size, dark red or orange-brown color and relatively complete pattern will separate alternata from the other Alberta species of Abagrotis. See also
Abagrotis placida and cupida.
"
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- University of Alberta Museums
Habitat
provided by University of Alberta Museums
Open woodland, shrubby areas, gardens and orchards, etc.
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- University of Alberta Museums
Life Cycle
provided by University of Alberta Museums
Abagrotis alternata have a single annual brood, with adults appearing in late summer. The larvae have been described and illustrated by Rings (1971). They are climbing cutworms and general feeders on a range of plants. In eastern North America they occasionally become serious pests on vegetable crops and in particular fruit trees, where they damage buds and new growth. The young larvae overwinter, and are reported to feed on dead leaves during the winter in warmer areas, developing through several instars and switching to new growth when it appears in spring. The adults are attracted to both light and sugar baits.
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- University of Alberta Museums
Trophic Strategy
provided by University of Alberta Museums
The larvae have been found feeding on a wide variety of trees, shrubs and herbs including cherry and plum (Prunus), strawberry (Fragaria), tomato, potato, cabbage and oak (Quercus sp.) (Rings, 1971).
- license
- cc-by-nc
- copyright
- University of Alberta Museums
Abagrotis alternata
provided by wikipedia EN
Abagrotis alternata, the greater red dart or mottled gray cutworm, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1865. It is found in eastern North America, from New Brunswick west across southern Canada to western Alberta, south to Arizona, New Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico.
The wingspan is 38–43 mm. Adults are on wing in August in Alberta. There is one generation per year.
The larvae feed on a wide range of plants. In eastern North America they can become pests on vegetable crops and in some fruit trees, damaging buds and new growth. Recorded food plants include white spruce, walnut, hickories, oak, strawberry, apple, cherry, plum, peach, potato and tomato.
Abagrotis alternata does not have a significant economic impact despite its prevalence in the northern United States.[1]
References
-
^ Rings, Roy W. (1971). "Contributions to the Bionomics of Climbing Cutworms; the Life History of the Mottled Gray Cutworm, Abagrotis alternata". Journal of Economic Entomology. 64 (1): 34–38. doi:10.1093/jee/64.1.34. ISSN 0022-0493.
- Wagner, David L.; Schweitzer, Dale F.; Sullivan, J. Bolling & Reardon, Richard C. (2011). Owlet Caterpillars of Eastern North America. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0691150420.
- license
- cc-by-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
Abagrotis alternata: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
Abagrotis alternata, the greater red dart or mottled gray cutworm, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1865. It is found in eastern North America, from New Brunswick west across southern Canada to western Alberta, south to Arizona, New Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico.
The wingspan is 38–43 mm. Adults are on wing in August in Alberta. There is one generation per year.
The larvae feed on a wide range of plants. In eastern North America they can become pests on vegetable crops and in some fruit trees, damaging buds and new growth. Recorded food plants include white spruce, walnut, hickories, oak, strawberry, apple, cherry, plum, peach, potato and tomato.
Abagrotis alternata does not have a significant economic impact despite its prevalence in the northern United States.
- license
- cc-by-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
