Collection of Lepidoptera at Moose Lake Provincial Park in 2005 C. Bruce Christensen, September 28, 2006 5702 43 A ST. Vegreville, AB, T9C 1E3 [email protected]

Description of Moose Lake Provincial Park Moose Lake Provincial Park is located approximately 15 km SW of Bonnyville, Alberta, Canada in the northern boreal forest at coordinates 54.16, 110.54. The park is made up of numerous inter-mixed habitats, including jack pine, paper birch, poplar, white spruce, black spruce bog, sand dune, flowering shrubs and other trees, and beach areas with forbs and sedge growth.

Dense understory in white spruce forest along one of many trails in Moose Lake Provincial Park

Selection of Location and Sites Moose Lake is within 50 km of the Alberta-Saskatchewan border, which increases the probability of finding new species for Alberta. The park is reasonably level throughout with numerous well-groomed trails for easy access (all sites accessible by walking or road vehicle). 2

This reduces the cost of accessing the sites. Each trap site was selected to maximize the diversity of habitats in an attempt to collect the largest variety of lepidopteran species.

Moose Lake Provincial Park is located west of Bonnyville in Alberta, Canada

Collection Purpose The purpose of this study was to collect and identify a cross-section of the lepidopteran species indigenous to the Moose Lake area and to mount one or more specimens of each species for archival purposes in the Strickland Museum, University of Alberta.

Collection Techniques Several collection techniques were used to obtain a more complete profile of the species of the area. Diurnal species were collected using netting and sugaring. Nocturnal species were captured using a mercury vapour (MV) light and sheet method, an ultraviolet (UV) light trap and sugaring. Sampling was done at approximately three-week intervals in order to collect the adult stage of most lepidopteran species that exist in, or fly into the area. Sunny days and non-rainy days were chosen to avoid accumulation of water in the moth traps and to avoid damaging light equipment.

Moose Lake Provincial Park Lepidoptera List for 2005 The numbers and nomenclature follow Hodges et al. (1983). In cases where a newer name is used, that of Hodges et al. (1983) is in brackets.

HEPIALIDAE

29. Gazorycta noviganna (B. & Benj.) (Hepialus novigannus B. & Benj.) - 04-IX-2005. 31. Korscheltellus gracilis Grt. (Hepialus gracilis Grt.) - 21-VII-2005.

TINEIDAE

399. Tinea irrepta Braun - 26-VI-2005. 412. Niditinea orleansella (Chamb.) - 25-VI-2005. 3

OECOPHORIDAE

926. Depressaria alienella Bsk. - 04-IX-2005. 1058. Polix coloradella (Wlsm.) - 22-VII-2005.

COLEOPHORIDAE

1388. Coleophora trifolii (Curt.) - 25-VI-2005.

GELECHIIDAE

1809. Coleotechnites florae (Free.) - 22-VII-2005. 1865. Neotelphusa praefixa (Braun) - 07-VIII-2005. 1946. Gelechia lynceela Zell. - 22-VII-2005. 1986.31. Gnorimoschema gallaespeciosum Miller - 07-VIII-2005. 2040. Caryocolum cassella (Wlk.) - 22-VII-2005. 2300. Dichomis levisella (Fyles) (Trichotaphe levisella Fyles) - 22-VII-2005.

PLUTELLIDAE

2366. Plutella xylostella (L.) - 26-V-2005 and 22-VII-2005.

YPSOLOPHIDAE

2371. Ypsolopha canariella (Wlsm.) - 01-VII-05.

YPONOMEUTIDAE

2467. Argyresthia oreasella Clem. - 22-VII-2005.

CHOREUTIDAE

2651 Choreutis diana (Hbn.) - 22-VII-2005.

TORTRICIDAE

2753. Apotomis capreana (Hbn.) - 22-VII-2005. 2770. Orthotaenia undulana (D. & S.) - 22-VII-2005. 2861. Hedya ochroleucana (Frölich) - 25-VI-2005. 3211. Notocelia culminana (Wlsm.) - 22-VII-2005. 3228. Gypsonoma salicicolana (Clem.) - 22-VII-2005. 3306. Epinotia nisella (Cl.) or 3307 Epinotia criddleana (Kft.) - 22-VII-2005 and 03-IX-2005. 4

3351. Epinotia lindana (Fern.) - 03-IX-2005. 3380. Ancylis goodelliana (Fern.) - 25-V-2005. 3465. Cydia flexiloqua (Heinr.) - 22-VII-2005. 3502. Croesia albicomana (Clem.) - 22-VII-2005. 3504. Croesia curvalana (Kft.) - 21-VII-2005. 3595. Pandemis canadana Kft. - 22-VII-2005. 3658. Archips purpurana (Clem.)-22-VII-2005. 3682. Clepsis persicana (Fitch) - 22-VII-2005. 3689. Ptycholoma virescana (Clem.) - 22-VII-2005. 3699. Sparganothis tristriata Kft. - 22-VII-2005 and 07-VIII-2005. 3706. Sparganothis xanthoides (Wlk.) - 24-VI-2005 and 07-VII-2005. 3740. Platynota idaeusalis (Wlk.) - 22-VII-2005.

HESPERIIDAE

3910 Thorybes pylades (Scudder) - 26-V-2005. 3945. Erynnis icelus (Scudder & Burgess) - 26-V-2005. 3982. Carterocephalus palaemon (Pallas) - 26-V-2005. 4020.2 Hesperia assiniboia (Lyman) (Hesperia comma assiniboia (Lyman)) - 26-V-2005.

PIERIDAE

4195. Pieris oleracea Harris (Pieris napi oleracea (Harr.)) - 27-V-2005. 4197. Pieris rapae (L.) - 21-VII-2005. 4209. Colias philodice Godt. - 27-V-2005. 4220. Colias interior Scudder - 21-VII-2005. 4222. Colias gigantea Stkr. - 24-V-2005 and 25-VI-2005.

LYCAENIDAE

4324. Callophrys polia Cook & Watson (Incisalia polia Cook & Watson) - 26-V-2005. 4328. Callophrys niphon (Hbn.) (Incisalia niphon (Hbn.) - 27-V-2005. 4362. Everes amyntula (Bdv.) - 24-VI-2005. 4363. Celastrina lucia (Kby.) (Celastrina ladon lucia (Kby.) - 26-V-2005. 4372. Glaucopsyche lygdamus (Doubleday) - 24-VI-2005.

NYMPHALIDAE

4432. Nymphalis antopia (L.) - 27-VI-2005. 4435. Vanessa cardui (L.) - 24-VI-2005. 4450. Speyeria cybele (F.) - 21-VII-2005. 4459.1. Speyeria hesperis (Edw.) (Speyeria atlantis hesperis (Edw.)) - 21-VII-2005 and 22-VII- 2005. 4475. Boloria chariclea (Schn.) (Clossiana chariclea (Schn.) - 21-VII-2005. 4481. Phycoides cocyta (Cramer) (not in Hodges et al. 1983) - 21-VII-2005 4522. Limenitis arthemis (Drury) (Basilarchia arthemis (Drury) - 24-VI-2005. 5

SATYRIDAE

4605 Oeneis macounii (Edw.) - 24-VI-2005.

LIMACODIDAE

4652. Tortricidia testacea Pack. - 25-VI-2005.

PYRALIDAE

4716. Scoparia biplagialis Wlk. - 22-VII-2005 and - 07-VIII-2005. 4755. Synclita obliteralis (Wlk.) - 22-VII-2005. 4953. Phlyctaenia coronata (Hufn.) - 25-VI-2005. 5101. Udea radiosalis (Mösch.) - 24-VI-2005 and 25-VI-2005. 5128. Choristostigma plumbosignalis(Fern.) - 25-VI-2005 and 07-VIII-2005. 5138. Mecyna luscitialis (B. & McD.) - 07-VIII-2005. 5156. Nomophila nearctia Mun. - 22-VII-2005. 5343. Crambus perlellus (Scop.) - 25-VI-2005. 5344. Crambus unistriatellus Pack. - 25-VI-2005. 5357. Crambus leachellus (Zinck.) - 07-VIII-2005. 5391. Chrysoteuchia topiaria (Zell.) - 25-VI-2005. 5397. Agriphila plumbifimbriella (Dyar) - 22-VII-2005. 5474. Occidentalia comptulatalis (Hulst) (Acigona comptulatilis (Hulst) - 07-VIII-2005. 5606. Tetralopha asperatella (Clem.) - 25-VI-2005. 5655. Acrobasis tricolorella Grt. - 22-VII-2005. 5718. Myelopsis subtetricella (Rag.) - 07-VIII-2005. 5843. Dioryctria reniculelloides Mutuura & Mun. - 24-VI-2005, 25-VI-2005 and 22-VII-2005. 5999. Eulogia ochrifrontella (Zell.) - 22-VII-2005.

THYATIRIDAE

6240. Euthyatira pudens (Gn.) - 25-V-2005.

GEOMETRIDAE

6270. Protitame virginalis (Hulst) - 25-VI-2005. 6286. Itame brunneata (Thunb.) - 21-VI-2005 and 22-VI-2005. 6290. Macaria loricaria (Evers.) (Itame loricaria (Evers.)) - 25-VI-2005. 6330. Semiothisa ulsterata (Pears.) - 26-VI-2005 . 6346. Macaria unipunctaria (Wright) Semiothisa unipunctaria (W. S. Wright) - 24-VI-2005. 6598. Protoboarmia porcelaria Gn. - 25-VI-2005. 6640. Biston betularia (L.) - 25-VI-2005. 6666. Lomographa semiclarata (Wlk.) - 26-V-2005. 6677. Cabera erythemaria Gn. - 25-VI-2005. 6678. Cabera variolaria Gn. - 24-VI-2005. 6

6726. Euchlaena obtusaria (Hbn.) - 22-VII-2005. 6731. Euchlaena madusaria (Wlk.) - 25-VI-2005. 6737. Euchlaena tigrinaria (Gn.) - 25-VI-2005. 6743. Xanthotype sospeta (Drury) - 25-VI-2005. 6796. Campaea perlata (Gn.) - 21-VII-2005. 6817. Selenia alciphearia Wlk. - 25-V-2005. 6820. Metanema determinata Wlk. - 22-VII-2005. 6837. Probole alienaria H.-S. - 25-VI-2005 and 27-VI-2005. 6888. Lambdina fiscellaria (Gn.) - 04-IX-2005. 6982. Prochoerodes transversata (Drury) - 22-VII-2005. 7009. Nematocampa limbata (Haw.) - 21-VII-2005 and 07-VIII-2005. 7085. Mesothea incertata (Wlk.) - 25-VI-2005. 7139. Cyclophora pendulinaria (Gn.) - 27-V-2005 and 24-VI-2005. 7159. Scopula limboundata (Haw.) - 21-VII-2005 and 22-VII-2005. 7166. Scopula frigidaria (Mösch.) - 21-VII-2005. 7182. Dysstroma citrata (L.) - 07-VIII-2005. 7187. Dysstroma truncata (Hufn.) - 21-VII-2005. 7189. Dysstroma hersiliata (Gn.) - 21-VII-2005. 7206. Eulithis explanata (Wlk.) - 21-VII-2005 and 07-VIII-2005. 7213. Ecliptoptera silaceata (D. & S.) - 25-VI-2005. 7216. Plemyria georgii Hulst - 04-IX-2005. 7293. Rheumaptera hastata (L.) - 24-VI-2005 and 25-VI-2005. 7370. Xanthorhoe abrasaria (H.-S.) - 22-VII-2005. 7384. Xanthorhoe munitata (Hbn.) - 22-VII-2005. 7399. Euphyia unangulata (Haw.) - 24-VI-2005. 7406 Zenophleps lignicolorata (Pack.) - 07-VIII-2005. 7459. Eupithecia columbiata (Dyar) - 27-V-2005. 7526. Eupithecia russeliata Swett - 24-VI-2005.

LASIOCAMPIDAE

7687. Phyllodesma americana (Harr.) - 26-V-2005.

SPHINGIDAE

7821. Smerinthus jamaicensis (Drury) - 27-V-2005. 7822. Smerinthus cerisyi Kby. - 25-V-2005, 26-V-2005 and 27-V-2005. 7824. Paonias excaecatus (J. E. Smith) - 25-VI-2005 and 26-VI-2005. 7828. Pachysphinx modesta (Harr.) - 26-VI-2005.

NOTODONTIDAE

7915. Nadata gibbosa (J. E. Smith) - 24-VI-2005 and 25-VI-2005. 7922. Pheosia rimosa Pack. - 25-VI-2005. 7928. Notodonta simplaria Graef. - 26-VI-2005. 7931. Gluphisia septentrionis Wlk. - 27-V-2005, 25-VI-2005 and 26-VI-2005. 7

ARCTIIDAE

8007. Schizura unicornis (J. E. Smith) - 25-VI-2005. 8158. Phragmatobia assimilans Wlk. - 26-V-2005. 8186. Apanthesis williamsii (Dodge) - 24-VI-2005 and 25-VI-2005. 8196. Apanthesis parthenice (W. Kirby) - 22-VII-2005.

NOCTUIDAE

8322. Idia americalis (Gn.) - 24-VI-2005. 8323. Idia aemula Hbn. - 22-VII-2005. 8354. Zanclognatha lutalba (Sm.) - 22-VII-2005. 8356. Chytolita petrealis Grt. - 24-VI-2005. 8370. Bleptina caradrinalis Gn. - 25-VI-2005. 8397. Palthis angulalis (Hbn.) - 25-VI-2005 and 22-VII-2005. 8421. Hypenodes fractilinea (Sm.) - 22-VII-2005. 8452. Bomolocha edictalis (Wlk.) - 21-VII-2005. 8461. Hypena humuli Harr. - 03-IX-2005. 8479. Spargaloma sexpunctata Grt. - 24-VI-2005, 25-VI-2005 and 26-VI-2005. 8490. Pangrapta decoralis Hbn. - 24-VI-2005. 8731. Euclidia cuspidea (Hbn.) - 25-VI-2005. 8867. Catocala blandula Hulst - 22-VII-2005. 8881. Abrostola urentis Gn. - 22-VII-2005. 8896. Diachrysia aeroides (Grt.) - 22-VII-2005. 8904. Chrysonympha formosa (Grt.) - 22-VII-2005. 8912. Autographa mappa (G. & R.) - 24-VI-2005. 8970. Baileya ophthalmica (Gn.) - 27-V-2005 and 25-VI-2005. 8990. Nola cilicoides (Grt.) - 21-VII-2005. 9048. Lithacodia albidula (Gn.) - 25-VI-2005. 9085. Tarachidia semiflava (Gn.) - 25-VI-2005. 9212. Acronicta grisea Wlk. - 25-VI-2005. 9359. Apamea commode (Wlk.) - 22-VII-2005 . 9382. Apamea devastator (Brace) (Crymodes devastator (Brace)) - 25-VI-2005, 07-VIII-2005 and 03-IX-2005. 9417. Oligia egens (Wlk.) - 07-VIII-2005. 9437. Chortodes inquinata (Gn.) (Hypocoena inquinata (Gn.)) - 22-VII-2005. 9450. Archanara subflava (Grt.) - 04-IX-2005. 9549. Enargia decolor (Wlk.) - 22-VII-2005, 07-VIII-2005 and 04-IX-2005. 9550. Enargia infumata (Grt.) - 21-VII-2005. 9555. Ipimorpha pleonectusa Grt. - 07-VIII-2005. 9556. Chytonix palliatricula (Gn.) - 25-VI-2005. 9564. Andropolia contacta (Wlk.) - 07-VII-2005. 9647. Proxenus miranda (Grt.) - 25-VI-2005. 9874. Xylena curvimacula (Morr.) - 03-IX-2005. 8

9878a. Lithomoia germana Morr. (Lithomoia solidaginis germana (Morr.) - 04-IX-2005. 9967. Hillia iris (Zett.) - 03-IX-2005. 9976. Platypolia anceps (Steph.) - 03-IX-2005. 10055. Apharetra dentata (Grt.) - 07-VIII-2005 and 08-VIII-2005. 10065. Homohadena infixa (Wlk.) - 07-VII-2005. 10223. Discestra trifolii (Hufn.) - 07-VIII-2005. 10265. Sideridis rosea (Harv.) - 26-VI-2005. 10268. Sideridis maryx (Gn.) - 24-VI-2005. 10275. Polia nimbosa (Gn.) - 05-VI-2005. 10276. Polia imbrifera (Gn.) - 22-VII-2005. 10280. Polia purpurissata (Grt.) - 21-VII-2005. 10288. Polia detracta (Wlk.) - 24-VI-2005 and 25-VI-2005. 10298. Lacanobia radix (Wlk.) - 25-VI-2005 and 27-VI-2005. 10310. Papestra quadrata (Sm.) - 25-V-2005 and 26-V-2005. 10372. Lacinipolia anguina (Grt.) - 22-VII-2005. 10397. Lacinipolia renigera (Steph.) - 25-VI-2005 and 22-VII-2005. 10405. Lacinipolia lorea (Gn.) - 25-VI-2005. 10436. Mythimna oxygala (Grt.) (Aletia oxygala (Grt.)) - 21-VII-2005 and 22-VIII-2005. 10490. Orthosia revicta (Morr.) - 25-V-2005. 10524. Nephelodes minians Gn. - 07-VIII-2005. 10563. Protorthodes oviducta (Gn.) - 25-VI-2005 . 10641. Agrotis vetusta (Wlk.) - 07-VIII-2005. 10670. Feltia jaculifera (Gn.) - 07-VIII-2005. 10838. Euxoa detersa (Wlk.) - 07-VIII-2005. 10863. Euxoa manitobana McD. - 07-VIII-2005. 10918. Diarsia dislocata (Sm.) - 21-VII-2005. 10928. Graphiphora auger (F.) (Graphiphora haruspica (Grt.)) - 22-VII-2005. 10929. Eurois occulta (L.) - 08-VIII-2005. 10930. Eurois astricta Morr. - 21-VII-2005 and 07-VIII-2005. 10944. Xestia smithii (Snell.) - 21-VII-2005 and 07-VIII-2005. 10959b. Xestia mixta (Wlk.) (Xestia speciosa mixta (Wlk.)) - 21-VII-2005. 10968.1 Xestia praevia Laf. (not in Hodges et al. 1983) - 07-VIII-2005. 10992. Paradiarsia littoralis (Pack.) - 25-VI-2005. 11001. Anaplectoides pressus (Grt.) - 22-VII-2005. 11004. Protolampra rufipectus (Morr.) - 07-VIII-2005. 11012. Cryptocala acadiensis (Bethune) - 22-VII-2005.

Results and Discussion Over 200 lepidopteran species were collected over 23 UV trap nights, 3 MV trap nights and 8 netting days. Of the species collected and identified, three turned out to be new for Alberta; two microlepidoptera, Gnorimoschema gallaespeciosum and Archips purpurana, and one macrolepidoptera, Pangrapta decoralis. More UV traps may have increased the number of specimens collected likely leading to more species identified as indigenous to the area. For many of the species only a single specimen was collected. It is highly likely that there are more species in the area. 9

Cool, wet and windy conditions during many of the collection periods reduced the number of species collected. Only one of the 3-day trips had no rain. The rain and wind reduced overnight temperatures to 10-12 ˚C. Cloudy days and rain caused a very noticeable lack of flowers and reduced the number of butterflies. In the summer of 2005, much of southern Alberta was plagued with flooding. Although Moose Lake Provincial Park received an equivalent amount of rain, the sandy soil allowed drainage of this rainwater. After the Sept 3-4 trip, the temperature dropped to 0˚C on most nights, making further sampling trips unfeasible. Ten to fifteen percent of the moths collected had distorted wing formation as they were unable to completely dry their wings. Many were likely never able to fly as a consequence.

Summary The reasons I picked Moose Lake Provincial Park as a study area for 2005 were the wide diversity of habitats within the park area, the fact that there appeared to be no literature for Lepidoptera for the park, and the closeness to the Saskatchewan border. These three factors increased the chances of not only documenting the Lepidoptera in an area not yet studied but increasing the odds of finding new species for the Province of Alberta. The 2005 spring, summer, and fall were one of the rainiest and coldest on record reducing flower species and numbers greatly. These factors I believe reduced the numbers of Lepidoptera greatly. In spite of these setbacks, 21 butterfly, and 176 moth species were collected. Of the Lepidoptera collected 2 new micomoths, and a macromoth species were identified for the Province of Alberta. Taking into consideration the poor seasonal weather and the good number of species attained, I can see much good data should still be attainable by continuing this sampling study.

Lepidoptera Reference Availability All of the species collected are available online on the Virtual Museum of the Strickland Museum (University of Alberta) at http://www.entomology.ualberta.ca/searching.php by entering Moose Lake Provincial Park, 2005 under the Locality and Date collected, respectively.

Acknowledgements I would like to sincerely thank fellow members of the Alberta Lepidopterist’s Guild for consultation and comments. Special thanks for verifications and identifications to Greg Pohl on micromoths, Charles Bird on micro and macromoths, Chris Schmidt with Geometridae and butterflies, Gary Anweiler with Noctuidae and other macromoths. Danny Shpeley is thanked for helping with data entry and data-basing. Lepidoptera identifications were determined using the insect collections at the Northern Forest Research Centre in Edmonton, the Strickland Museum at the University of Alberta, and the personal collection of Charles Bird, Erskine, Alberta. These collections provided invaluable hands-on reference material. I would also like to sincerely thank other members of the Alberta Lepidopterist’s Guild who contributed their time and expertise in identification and verification. Rob Hughes and George Turnbull are thanked for assistance in formatting and proof reading. Another special culinary thank you to Ann Bird for her hospitality and fine home-cooked meals.

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References

Bird C. D., Hilchie G. J., Kondla N. G., E.M. Pike and F.A.H. Sperling. 1999. Alberta Butterflies. Provincial Museum of Alberta, Edmonton Alberta. Covell, Charles V. 1984. A Field guide to Moths: Eastern North America. MifflinCo., Boston New York. Guppy, Crispin S. and Jon H. Shepard. 2001. Butterflies of British Columbia. UBC Press Vancouver, B.C. Handfield, Louis. 1999. Le Guide des Papillions du Quebec. Vol. 1. Broquet, Boucerville, QC. Hodges, R. W. et al. 1983. Check List of the Lepidoptera of America North of Mexico. E.W. Classey Ltd., & the Wedge Entomological Foundation. “The Moths of Canada” internet website (J. Troubridge & D. Lafontaine), http://www.cbif.gc.ca/spp_pages/misc_moths/phps/mothindex_e.php. Accessed June, 2006.