Udea abstrusa
Munroe, 1966
Udea abstrusa is a small crambid described by Eugene G. Munroe in 1966. It is distributed across western North America from the Canadian prairie provinces and northern territories south through the Rocky Mountains to Colorado and New Mexico. The exhibits notable subspecific variation, with four recognized occupying distinct geographic ranges. are active in mid-summer.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Udea abstrusa: /ˈuː.di.a æbˈstruː.sə/
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Identification
Distinguished from similar Udea by geographic range and, where applicable, subspecific designation. The four (abstrusa, cordilleralis, pullmanensis, subarctica) are separated by distribution rather than readily apparent morphological differences. Precise identification to species level may require genitalia dissection or molecular analysis.
Habitat
Occupies montane and subarctic environments across western North America. abstrusa occurs in prairie provinces; cordilleralis in the central Rocky Mountains; pullmanensis in the Pacific Northwest; and subarctica in the northern territories.
Distribution
North America: Alberta, British Columbia, Colorado, New Mexico, Northwest Territories, Washington, and Wyoming. Four show partitioned distributions: U. a. abstrusa in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan; U. a. cordilleralis in Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico; U. a. pullmanensis in Washington; U. a. subarctica in Yukon and Northwest Territories.
Seasonality
active July and August.
Similar Taxa
- Udea rubigalisCongeneric with similar size and general appearance; U. rubigalis has been documented visiting apple flowers for nectar, demonstrating the pollination potential of Udea generally.
More Details
Subspecific taxonomy
The was described with four simultaneously by Munroe (1966), representing an unusually fine- geographic partitioning for a North American . This pattern suggests either limited capacity or strong selection along environmental gradients.