Saturniidae of Alberta

Hyalophora columbia gloveri female, Alberta, courtesy of Derek Bridgehouse.

The following Saturniidae are found in Alberta in western Canada. They are grouped into respective subfamilies and tribes.

Clicking on a scientific name will take you to a page with pictures and information.

If you have additional information regarding flight times (listed below table) or additional species to add, please send email to oehlkew@islandtelecom.com

Visit North American Catocala (Underwing Moths) website.

Visit Alberta Catocala (Underwing Moths) website.

Visit Sphingidae of the Americas (Hawk Moths/Sphinx Moths) website.

Visit Alberta Sphingidae (Hawk Moths/Sphinx Moths) website.

Hemileucinae

Hemileuca e. eglanterina
Hemileuca hera hera

Saturniinae: Attacini

Hyalophora cecropia
Hyalophora col. gloveri
Hyalophora kasloensis

Saturniinae: Saturniini

Antheraea polyphemus


Hemileucinae

Hemileuca e. eglanterina. The Western sheepmoth (wingspan: m: 57-70mm; f: 57-72mm), is highly variable in its colouration and patterning. Forewing upperside ground colour ranges from yellow-orange to cream to pink with black markings. The upperside of the hindwing is yellow-orange to orange with narrow to wide black markings. only in southwestern Alberta

Hemileuca hera. Hemileuca hera, (wingspan: m: 55-67mm; f: 62-64mm), flies in the Great Basin area of southeastern British Columbia across southern Alberta to central southern Saskatchewan in sagebrush communities, pinyon-juniper woodland, and subalpine sagebrush meadows at elevations as high as 10,000 feet. Wings are white with black markings including a black crescent-shaped cell spot on each wing. only in southern Alberta

Saturniinae: Attacini

Hyalophora cecropia male. Cecropia (m: 120-145mm; f: 130-150mm). Males and females both come to lights. There is considerable variation in the width of the red lines from specimen to specimen. Occasionally the forewing crescents are absent or greatly reduced. eastern half of Alberta

Hyalophora c. gloveri male. In Canadian Prairie provinces this is a reddish-brown species with maroon to burgundy highlights in basal and median areas. The post median area tends to be grey. The white cell markings are not elongated as most often occurs in the hindwings of euryalus. extensive range in Alberta. Sometimes quite bright.

Hyalophora kasloensis male. Hyalophora "kasloensis" is believed to have originated as a hybridization between H. euryalus to the south and west and Hyalophora columbia to the east and north. It is self-sustaining. Moths tend to be darker than euryalus with more black scaling in the sub-terminal and terminal areas. The larvae have bright red thoracic and abdominal scoli. extensive range in western Alberta

Saturniinae: Saturniini

Antheraea polyphemus male. (wingspan approximately 125mm). Ground colour varies considerable from reddish brown to tan. Occasionally I see a melanic form with much grey scaling on the wings and sides of the body. Flies from very late May into early July. throughout southern half of Alberta

Antheraea polyphemus fly from late May until early July.

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