ALG NEWS—Vol. 3: Issue 1 Winter 2007/08 The Need For Collecting by Gregory Pohl, Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service

Concerns over the practice of are periodically raised by uninformed people who equate with birds and mammals, assume that killing insects is unneccessary, and then attempt to curtail legitimate collecting activities. This often leaves entomologists scrambling to justify and defend their legitimate work. Recently the ALG was asked by the Federation of Alberta Naturalists to respond to a letter they had received Young children collecting ”bugs”. One of the best ways to from one of their member get introduced to the marvels of nature (photo G. Pohl) groups, the Grasslands Naturalists, expressing concern about insect vertebrates. The Grasslands all or part of that letter to collecting in Alberta. As Naturalists' letter, and my explain the value of their president of ALG, I response, are posted on the work. responded with a detailed ALG website. Any ALG Also in response to letter outlining the many member or other amateur or this recent challenge to benefits of insect professional entomologist insect collecting, ALG has collecting, and the who is being taken to task prepared the following misconceptions that arise over their collecting position statement. when comparing insects to activities is welcome to use (Continuerd on page 2)

The Rare Flower of Alberta By Gary Anweiler

Flower moths are mostly exceptions they are single- Over the past 3-4 years small, colorful day-flying brooded and short-lived as Chris Schmidt and I spent

GUILD noctuid moths comprising adults. Of the 23 species an inordinate amount of the subfamily . recorded from Alberta, 9 or time and energy focused on They tend to be highly 40% are considered rare several species of Flower specialized, frequently species (known from very Moths, not only in Alberta utilizing a single species or few specimens and no more but also in southern of hostplant and than 3 sites in Alberta in the Saskatchewan and the feeding only on the past 50 years). Spruce Woods Provincial flowering parts of the Park area of southeastern . With few Manitoba. (Continued on page 2)

Contents of this Issue: Special points of interest: • The need for insect collecting • Importance of insect collecting

• The rare flower moths • The rare Flower Moths of Alberta • The Gray - • Look out for the Gray Cactus-Moth

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF ALBERTA LEPIDOPTERISTS’

ALG NEWS Valid insect collecting and research Collectors should always respect (The Need For Insect Collecting - continued from page 1) activities can be carried out by both private property, and local regulations amateur and professional entomologists. pertaining to controlled areas and species The ALG Position on Insect Collecting In fact, the distinction between or habitat protection. They should always "professional" and "amateur" is largely comply with provincial, federal, and artificial, since virtually all entomologists international regulations regarding Insect collecting is a valid pursuit are driven by a passion for the field, collection, possession, import and export that leads to a greater understanding and whether they are paid or not. Amateur of protected species and live material. appreciation of insects and of the natural collectors are often world-class experts ALG does not support mass world. It contributes to their protection contributing large amounts of valuable commercial collecting. The commercial and ongoing security far more than it information. market in insects is driven by a very few threatens them. By far the greatest threat We recommend that insect collecting butterfly and collectors who are not to insects is habitat loss resulting from be limited to sampling a population, not interested in the biological aspects of human activities. Of the many ways that unnecessarily depleting it, and that insects, but simply in the acquisition of humans directly and indirectly kill insects restraint should be exercised where the specimens. ALG does not respect or - urbanization, deforestation, land health of a particular insect population is condone that form of collecting, and cultization, and pesticide use to name but unknown. To ensure their value for draws a clear distinction between it and a few - insect collecting is the only one scientific study, collected specimens the many amateur hobbyists who pursue that actually contributes to protecting should have locality and date information insects to learn more about them. The insects, by increasing our understanding attached, and they should be safeguarded only “high-demand” insects in Alberta of them and the crucial roles they play in to ensure their long-term safety. Properly with any “market value” are a few species the ecosystems that sustain us. Insects are labeled and cared-for specimens are of high elevation mountain butterflies. incredibly numerous and prolific, so the extremely valuable to scientific Those species are already protected from effects of collecting on their populations researchers; private collections should be overzealous collectors by provincial and are minimal. Because we know little or made available to qualified researchers national parks (whether this provides nothing about most insect species, and for examination, and when no longer adequate protection from other threats in they are very difficult to identify, it is required or wanted by the collector, they another matter). necessary to kill and collect them to study should be offered to a public facility The impacts of insect collecting are them. Most insects cannot be identified where they will be available to future overwhelmingly positive. Any undue reliably until they are examined under a workers as well. restrictions on this activity would be an microscope. Collecting insects is a vital For some research, it is necessary to impediment to scientific study, and part of most research, collect and rear specimens, or otherwise ultimately to insect conservation. We including taxonomic, diagnostic, keep them alive for a time in captivity. wish to see insect collecting encouraged, biodiversity, and pest management work. Any such specimens that are returned rather than discouraged, so that we may As well, most of the information critical alive to the wild, should only be returned more fully document the diversity of these to the protection of endangered insect to the region where they originated, in wonderful and fascinating creatures. species is derived from insect collecting suitable habitat.

In fact, the distinction between "professional" and "amateur" is largely artificial, since virtually all entomologists are driven by a passion for the field, whether they are paid or not.

The author caring properly for the days catch at Slave River (photo D. Macaulay).

(The Rare Flower Moths of Alberta — continued from page 1)

The impetus for all this effort was, of (2007) ACA provided additional funding course, funding. Both COSEWIC and for me to conduct additional searches in ACA provided funding for us to prepare Alberta and to prepare a provincial status status reports on several species of these report for verna. little moths, with some money actually allotted for field-work!. The species we To this list of rare flower moths can be specifically searched for and prepared added another six species that are equally status reports for included 4 species that rare in Alberta, although most are more are globally scarce: Verna’s flower moth common south of the border and to the (Schinia verna), Gold-edged gem (Schinia west. The number of Alberta localities for avemensis), Dark-banded flower-gem each is in brackets: Schinia roseitincta (1), Schinia honesta (1), Schinia nuchalis (1), Schinia roseitincta (photo: Moths of (Melaporphyria immortua) and White Canada Website) flower moth (Schinia bimatris) – all but zea (2), Heliothis acesias (1), the last are found in Alberta. This year and Schinia suetus (3). (continued on page 3)

ALG NEWS—VOL. 3: ISSUE 1 Page 2 (The Rare Flower Moths of Alberta — continued from page 2) The Gold-edged gem is a sand dune Etricopis nexilis, the White-spotted and central Alberta. Bowman also listed specialist – and is found only in active midget. In life verna looks and acts very Zone 7 (Lloydminster area) as an Alberta sand dunes and sand blow-outs associated much like nexilis, and has proven to be site for immortua We were unable to with it’s larval host – an annual native essentially impossible to identify in the locate any Alberta specimens from sunflower that also forms colonies on wild. It is not until you look at the ventral Lloydminster, but did locate single these shifting sands. It still thrives at the surface that the difference in the two specimens from Lloydminster SK and type locality in the Spirit Dunes at Spruce nearby Harlan SK in the CNCI Woods Provincial Park in Manitoba, the and BMNH collections. In only locality in Canada where this species eastern North America it has was known when I set out to look for it in been collected in sandy pine 2004. The only other place where this barrens; in the west in the moth was known to occur was in dunes in grasslands and parklands 2 or 3 locations in southern Wyoming and regions, but the specific Colorado, but specimens from there are habitat associations remain larger and darker and there was some poorly understood. Every 20 doubt that these were the same species. or 30 years somewhere in During fieldwork in 2004 I located a North America a specimen single specimen in the Burstall dunes in pops up, proving that it still Saskatchewan, while at almost the same exists! The last Canadian time Chris discovered a colony in a specimen was collected at blowout at “Dune Point”, north of Glenboro MB in 1979 by Bindloss in Alberta. Chris later discovered David Hardwick, and the only an old Alberta specimen hiding in a batch specimen reported since is a of unidenitified micromoths in the Golden-edged Gem, single specimen collected in Strickland Museum, collected in 1929 by (photo T. J. Simonsen) the Oklahoma panhandle in none other than E.E. Strickland himself, 2003 (Schmidt & Anweiler, thus removing any doubt that are not species becomes obvious. Only Hardwick, 2004). The host plant and early stages recent arrivals and have been here all who discovered and described it, has remains unknown. along. The following year I located a knowingly seen it alive. Even he did not The prettiest Schinia of the bunch is second larger colony in the Pakowki Lake know what he had when he collected the Schinia roseitincta, also one of the dunes, making Alberta the only province first specimens, until he removed what he smallest with a 2 cm wingspan. Schinia with more than a single population. I thought were specimens of nexilis from roseitincta occurs from southeastern visited both the Spirit Dunes and Pakowki his killing bottle. Both the recent Manitoba and the Black Hills of South dunes in 2007 and was pleased to find specimens from Alberta were thought to Dakota west to southeastern Alberta, these little moths busily going about their be nexilis when captured, and were not Montana, Colorado, Utah and New business at both sites. The Gold-edged recognized as being verna until later, in Mexico. The only Alberta record is a gem has since been formally assigned spite of the fact that I was searching for single specimen found by Ted Pike in the Endangered status by COSEWIC and is verna at the time I caught the second badlands near the Jenner bridge last year now a protected species under SARA specimen. I strongly suspect that verna (June 2, 2006). According to Chuck Harp legislation. will be found in other Alberta pastures the larval host is acaulis Verna’s flower moth is a puzzling moth with additional searching, in particular if (Pursch) Greene (stemless four-nerve- found in a rather common habitat – grazed as many specimens of “nexilis” as possible daisy, stemless hymenoxys or native prairie pasture where the host plant are captured and examined. Verna’s rubberweed) a common yellow composite pussytoes ( flower moth has flower in the badlands at Jenner. Chuck sp.) is blooming in the recently been has found and collected adults on the northern grasslands Verna’s flower moth has recently assigned blossoms of Tetraneuris in the evening, and Aspen parklands “Threatened” status but most specimens have been collected in region from been assigned “Threatened” by COSEWIC and is UV traps, as was Ted’s specimen. southwestern Manitoba thus also protected Personally I think that walking round in to central Alberta. status by COSEWIC and is thus under SARA.. the badlands of the Red Deer River valley Since being discovered in the evening. checking rubberweed and described also protected under SARA. The Dark-banded blossoms for little rose-colored Schina is relatively recently, in flower gem about as pleasant an activity as can be the early 1980’s (again ( Melaporphria imagined. at Spruce Woods in Manitoba by David immortua) is a true Schinia honesta is another species known Hardwick) only 4 additional specimens enigma. No one has encountered this in Alberta from a single specimen. It is a have turned up – a single historic species in Alberta since Bowman checkered black and white diurnal moth – specimens from Medicine Hat, collected collected three specimens in the similar to and apparently closely related to by F.S. Carr in 1929 and now residing in Edmonton area over a 23 year spread Schinia verna. It has a fairly wide range in the Smithsonian collection in Washington between 1919 and 1942, all in late May. It the mountains of western North America, DC), at Saskatoon Saskatchewan in 1980, also appears to be globally rare – although but the host plant and early stages remain and two Alberta specimens that I collected specimens have been found over a huge a mystery. The single Alberta record is a in 2003 (Jenner bridge) and 2007 area - New England south to Florida, west specimen Dr. Dave caught on July 14, (Alliance). This little moth flies with and to Alberta, South Dakota, Colorado, 2000, on the sage-covered slopes of uses the same host plant as the much more Oklahoma and New Mexico!. In Canada it Windsor Mountain, in the mountains south common and widespread flower moth has been collected in southwestern of the Crowsnest Pass. Manitoba, at several sites in Saskatchewan (continued on page 4)

ALG NEWS—VOL. 3: ISSUE 1 Page 3 (The Rare Flower Moths of Alberta — continued from page 3)

Schinia nuchalis is a rather drab but only makes it as far north as Alberta late the CNCI collected in 1928 and labeled interestingly patterned grey-brown and in the year, as rare migrants or offspring simply “Dunes, Alberta”. white moth. It is a diurnal species that of migrants from further south, and unable Anyone collecting in the southern half of uses the same hostplant, wild Tarragon to overwinter here. I am aware of only 3 the province should watch for these (Artemesia dracunculus) as does the Alberta records – one from the Calgary interesting and often beautiful little moths. Badlands swallowtail (Papilio machaon area in the 1920’s and two recent I would also like to hear from anyone who dodii).. Appropriately enough one of the specimens collected at the Tolman Bridge has additional Alberta records for any of few Canadian specimens was reared from Recreation Area in the Red Deer River the species discussed here. There are also a larvae collected at Kamloops BC on this valley by both Charley Bird and myself. a number of additional species that occur plant by Felix Sperling himself, a man Last and possibly even least is Heliothis in adjacent Saskatchewan and Montana who has spent much time searching the acesias, another rare flower moth about that may well turn up here as well. All the Tarragon patches for swallowtail larvae. I which we know almost nothing. The early Alberta species are (or will be shortly) have never encountered nuchalis in life, stages and larval host plant(s) are illustrated in color on the Strickland and it is added to the Alberta fauna based unknown. It is closely related and more Museum Virtual Museum site, as well as on two old collections from Lethbridge, common H. phloxiphaga, which is on the Moths of Canada website. way back in 1929 and 1936! It is very nocturnal. Unlike phloxiphaga which has closely related to the European S. scutosa white hindwings, the hindwings of acesias Happy (The Spotted ), and until recently are usually yellow. It is added to the they were thought to be conspecific. Alberta list based on a single specimen in Gary Anweiler, October 3, 2007 Schinia suetus is known from only 3 or 4 specimens collected in the Lethbridge area. Oddly enough, two of these were collected in traps baited with lures for Peridromia saucia, a large and destructive moth also known as the Variegated Cutworm. Schinia suetus ia is a small diurnal species with reddish or greenish brown forewings and coal black hindwings with 2 white spots. The larval feed only in the flowers and seed pods of various species of lupines. The last two species are not usually thought of as flower moths per se, but are members of the subfamily Heliothinae nevertheless. The first is zea – the Corn Earworm – one of the most widespread and destructive agricultural pest moths in existence. Fortunately is

(Photo G. G. Anweiler)

Look Out For the Gray Cactus Moth Text and photo by Thomas J. Simonsen, editor ALG NEWS

Compared to south-western USA and A whole group of phycitine are dentata a large, generally gray Mexico, Alberta may not seem the most associated with cactus as larvae: mostly as moth with a wingspan up to 5.5cm occurs obvious place to look for moth and other borers in the stem, pads and fruit. The best widespread and common throughout the insects associated with cactus. known example is probably the “true” prairies of Alberta. It has not yet been Nonetheless, the prairies and especially Cactus Moth (Cactoblastis cactorum), a recorded from the Peace Country, but the badlands of the south-eastern part of moth native to southern South America since Fragile Prickly-pear is one of the our province have, as many will know that has been used to control invasive species’ preferred host , it could from painful experience, quite a healthy cactus weeds with great success. Though easily bee there. Keep looking for it! But population of cacti. Of the three species C. cactorum has accidentally been there is another, rarer and more elusive found in Alberta, the most common are introduced to Florida and is spreading in cactus moth in Alberta. Melitara the two Prickly-pear species Fragile south eastern USA, there is no risk that it subumbrella, a close relative of M. dentata Prickly-pear ( fragilis) and Plains will make it to Alberta. Our winters are does seem to occur in the southern most Prickly-pear (Opuntia archantia). Fragile too cold and long (but with global part of the province. A specimen was Prickly-pear even occurs close to 61°N in warming – who knows?). collected and identified by Bowman in (or the Peace Country, the northern most wild near) Medicine Hat in 1949. But Alberta has its own cactus moth. cactus population in the world. (Continued on page 5)

ALG NEWS—VOL. 3: ISSUE 1 Page 4 THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF What is the ALG? ALBERTA LEPIDOPTERISTS’ GUILD The Alberta Lepidopterists' Guild (ALG) is a non-profit society made up of amateur and professional Lepidopterists. Our objective is to support and encourage the study and appreciation of Alberta (butterflies and moths). We coordinate research projects, facilitate the exchange of information among members, and host events where people can collect and look at Lepidoptera and exchange information and ideas. We have an elected executive, and hold at least one annual general meeting to handle society business. We also host a members-only electronic bulletin board, and numerous scientific and social events throughout the province. Alberta is a province in western Canada which includes a diverse range of habitats, including mountains, boreal forest, and prairie. Over 3000 species of butterflies and moths are thought to live here; so far about three-quarters of ALG News - Volume 3: Issue 1 these are known. Cheif Editor: Thomas J. Simonsen ([email protected])

We are on the Web: http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/uasm/alg/

(Look Out For the Gray Cactus Moth — continued from page 4)

The Common Cactus Moth, note the fairly The Gray Cactus Moth, Melitara subumbrella, note the almost elaborate wing-pattern absence of any wing-pattern (live specimens usually have more antennae). Though this specimen today is in the E. H. like medium-sized Strickland Entomological Museum at the noctuids (especially when pinned) than almost always a black spot close to the University of Alberta it has apparently phycitine Pyralidae. But almost all wing tip. Another good way to tell the two avoided the eye of entomologists for more phycitines rest in a very characteristic species apart is their flight period. In than half a century, and the “official” position with their wings coiled cigar-like Alberta M. subumbrella flies from mid northern limit of M. subumbrella’s around the body and the antennae pressed May to late June, whereas M. dentata flies ditrubution is Wyoming and central Idaho flat against the back. The two species are from mid-late July to early October. So, if (Neunzig 1997). When I was going superficially quite similar with broad, you are out collecting in south eastern through the E. H. Strickland collection of white hind wings with a more or less Alberta in May or June keep an eye out M. dentata earlier this year, I discovered distinctive gray margin, and long but for the gray cactus moth. I am currently that several specimens from southern fairly narrow gray forewings, sometimes revising the genus distribution in western Alberta were actually misidentified M. with a warmer, yellowish cast. But Canada and will highly appreciate any subumbrella. whereas M. subumbrella has uniform gray records of both species. forewings, at most with a single discal Both Melitara species are large, robust spot, M. dentata has a more or less Lit.: Neunzig, H. H. (1997). Pyraloidea, micro moths that superficially look more elaborate, black zigzag cross-pattern and Pyralidae (Part). MONA Fascicle 15.4