Autographa pseudogamma
(Grote, 1875)
Delicate Silver Y
A medium-sized North American noctuid in the Plusiinae , characterized by its distinctive wing pattern. are active in mid-summer with a single per year. The occupies a broad geographic range across northern and western North America.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Autographa pseudogamma: //ɔːˈtɒɡrəfə sjuːdoʊˈɡæmə//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Distinguished from the more widespread Silver Y (Autographa gamma) by its more northerly and westerly North American distribution and subtle differences in wing pattern. The specific epithet 'pseudogamma' reflects its similarity to A. gamma. Accurate identification typically requires examination of genitalia or molecular markers. Distinguished from other Plusiinae loopers by the combination of size, wing pattern, and geographic occurrence.
Images
Habitat
Occupies diverse across its broad range including forest, montane regions, and northern temperate zones. Specific microhabitat preferences for and larvae are not well documented in available sources.
Distribution
North America: Newfoundland to coastal northern Alaska; southward in the eastern portion to New England; in western mountains to New Mexico, Arizona, and California. Also recorded from Cypress Hills and Black Hills of South Dakota. Canadian provinces: Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan.
Seasonality
active July to August depending on location. Single per year ().
Life Cycle
Single per year. stage not explicitly documented in available sources but presumed to be pupal or larval based on related Plusiinae .
Similar Taxa
- Autographa gammaSimilar wing pattern with silver Y marking; distinguished by distribution (A. gamma is Palearctic and migratory in North America) and subtle morphological differences
- Autographa californicaRelated Plusiinae with similar looping larval ; distinguished by distribution and wing pattern
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Wikipedia
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
- Do Moths Usually Land with Their Wings Down? | Bug Squad
- In the Loop--on the Mustard | Bug Squad
- Bug Squad
- Insect Migration (Part 1) - Buglife Blog - Buglife
- Mudo Pryfed (Rhan 1) - Buglife Blog - Buglife
- ID Challenge #14 | Beetles In The Bush
- Notes on the Life History of the Delicate Silver Y, Autographa pseudogamma (Grote, 1875) (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Noctuidae: Plusiinae)