Prairie-provinces
Guides
Abagrotis reedi
Reed's Dart
Abagrotis reedi is a noctuid moth described by John S. Buckett in 1969. It occurs across western and central North America, from California through the Rocky Mountain states to Iowa, with Canadian populations in the prairie provinces and British Columbia. The species has a moderate wingspan of 33–36 mm. It is one of approximately 30 species in the genus Abagrotis, a group of dart moths primarily distributed in North America.
Ambesa laetella
snout moth
Ambesa laetella is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1880. It is known from the Canadian prairie provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. As a member of the subfamily Phycitinae, it shares the characteristic elongated labial palps that form a "snout" projection. The species has been documented through 95 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is moderately well-observed but remains poorly studied in the scientific literature.
Athrycia cinerea
Athrycia cinerea is a univoltine tachinid fly parasitoid native to North America, primarily associated with the bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata) in Canadian rapeseed fields. Females oviposit on third through sixth instar host larvae, with parasite larvae typically developing gregariously and maturing on fifth and sixth instars. The species exhibits temperature-dependent pupal diapause, which is usually prevented at 25°C but occurs at 20°C.
Cydia ingrata
Cydia ingrata is a tortricid moth described by Heinrich in 1926. It belongs to the genus Cydia, which includes several economically important pest species such as the codling moth. Distribution records indicate this species occurs in the Canadian prairie provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Available information on this species is limited, with few documented observations relative to its better-known congeners.
Cydia populana
Cydia populana is a tortricid moth species described by Busck in 1916. It belongs to the genus Cydia, which includes several economically significant agricultural pests such as the codling moth (C. pomonella) and the filbertworm (C. latiferreana). The species has been recorded from prairie provinces in Canada.
Digrammia denticulata
Digrammia denticulata is a species of geometrid moth first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1883. It belongs to the genus Digrammia, which comprises North American granite moths. The species has been recorded from the Canadian prairie provinces and is part of the diverse Geometridae family, commonly known as inchworm or geometer moths. Like other members of its genus, it is attracted to ultraviolet light and has been documented through blacklighting surveys.
Epinotia columbia
Epinotia columbia is a species of tortricid moth described by Kearfott in 1904. It belongs to the tribe Eucosmini within the subfamily Olethreutinae. The species has been recorded in the prairie provinces of Canada, with observations documented in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
Epinotia rectiplicana
Epinotia rectiplicana is a species of tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, first described by Walsingham in 1879 under the basionym Paedisca rectiplicana. It belongs to the tribe Eucosmini within the subfamily Olethreutinae. The species is documented from the Canadian prairie provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
Epirrhoe sperryi
Sperry's Argent & Sable, small argent and sable
Epirrhoe sperryi is a geometrid moth in the subfamily Larentiinae, found in North America. The species is known from the Canadian prairie provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. It belongs to a genus characterized by black-and-white patterned forewings, though specific diagnostic features for this species remain poorly documented in published literature.
Eucosma glomerana
Eucosma glomerana is a small tortricid moth described by Walsingham in 1879. It belongs to the tribe Eucosmini within the subfamily Olethreutinae. Records indicate a restricted distribution in the Canadian prairie provinces.
Eulithis xylina
Northwestern Phoenix Moth
Eulithis xylina is a geometrid moth native to North America, commonly known as the northwestern phoenix moth. The species is assigned Hodges number 7207 in the North American Moth Photographers Group system. It belongs to the subfamily Larentiinae, a diverse group of carpet moths. The species was originally described as Neolexia xylina by George D. Hulst in 1896.
Eutanyacra suturalis
Eutanyacra suturalis is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1835. The species has been recorded from multiple localities across the Canadian Prairie provinces, particularly in Alberta. As a member of the Ichneumonidae, it is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host associations remain undocumented in the available sources.
Euxoa dodi
Euxoa dodi is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1923. It belongs to a genus containing numerous cutworm and dart moth species, many of which are agricultural pests. The species is poorly documented in scientific literature, with minimal information available regarding its biology, ecology, or economic significance. It appears to be a relatively obscure member of the North American noctuid fauna.
Euxoa pestula
Euxoa pestula is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Smith in 1904. It belongs to the genus Euxoa, a large group of cutworm moths found primarily in North America. The species is documented from the Canadian prairie provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Like other Euxoa species, the larvae are likely cutworms that feed on plant stems and roots, though specific life history details for this species remain poorly documented.
Forcipata frigida
Forcipata frigida is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Typhlocybinae, described by Beirne in 1955. It belongs to the tribe Dikraneurini, a group of small leafhoppers often associated with herbaceous vegetation. Distribution records indicate occurrence in the Canadian prairie provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Hadena circumvadis
cutworm moth, dart moth
Hadena circumvadis is a noctuid moth species described by Smith in 1902. It belongs to the tribe Hadenini, a group commonly known as cutworm or dart moths. The species is documented from the Canadian Prairie provinces with limited observational records.
Hoplismenus morulus morulus
Hoplismenus morulus morulus is a subspecies of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. This parasitoid wasp is recorded from multiple localities across the Canadian Prairie provinces. As a member of the genus Hoplismenus, it likely functions as a parasitoid of other insects, though specific host records for this subspecies are not well documented. The subspecific status indicates morphological or geographic differentiation from the nominate form.
Hylurgopinus rufipes
Native Elm Bark Beetle
The native elm bark beetle is a small scolytine weevil and principal vector of Dutch elm disease in the northern Great Plains and prairie provinces of Canada. Adults are brownish-red, measuring 2.3–2.9 mm, and complete one generation annually. Overwintered adults emerge in spring to colonize weakened or dying American elm, constructing egg galleries in the inner bark where larvae feed on cambium tissue. The species exhibits distinctive acoustic communication: males produce simple multipulse calls, stress/rivalry chirps, and bimodal premating stridulation at gallery sites, while females do not stridulate. Males become strongly arrested at attractive female galleries and engage in brief contests with rival males shortly after a resident male establishes presence.
Micaria medica
Micaria medica is a species of ground spider in the family Gnaphosidae, described by Platnick and Shadab in 1988. The genus Micaria comprises small, active hunters commonly known as ant-mimic spiders due to their resemblance to ants in movement and body form. This species is part of the diverse North American gnaphosid fauna. Very little specific biological information has been published for M. medica.
Neoligia tonsa
cutworm moth, dart moth
Neoligia tonsa is a species of noctuid moth described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1880. It belongs to the genus Neoligia, a group of small to medium-sized owlet moths. The species is recorded from the Canadian Prairie Provinces and has been assigned MONA/Hodges number 9413. It is one of approximately 20 species currently placed in Neoligia, a genus whose taxonomy remains under study.
Oeneis uhleri varuna
Varuna Arctic
Oeneis uhleri varuna, commonly known as the Varuna Arctic, is a subspecies of butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to the genus Oeneis, a group commonly referred to as the Arctics, which are typically associated with high mountain habitats across western North America. This subspecies is distributed across the Canadian prairie provinces. The Varuna Arctic is one of several subspecies within the Oeneis uhleri species complex, which exhibits variation across its range in North America.
Olibrus vittatus
Olibrus vittatus is a species of beetle in the family Phalacridae, a group commonly known as shining flower beetles. The species was described by LeConte in 1868. Phalacridae are small beetles often associated with flowers and decaying plant matter, though specific ecological details for O. vittatus remain poorly documented.
Onychobaris subtonsa
flower weevil
Onychobaris subtonsa is a species of flower weevil in the family Curculionidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1876. The species is recorded from prairie provinces of central Canada, specifically Manitoba and Saskatchewan. As a member of the flower weevil group, it likely associates with flowering plants, though specific biological details remain poorly documented. The genus Onychobaris contains relatively obscure species with limited published research.
Pelochrista corosana
Pelochrista corosana is a species of tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, first described by Walsingham in 1884. It belongs to the large genus Pelochrista, which contains numerous small moth species often referred to as 'tortricid leafroller moths.' The species is known from the Canadian prairie provinces. As with most members of its genus, detailed information about its biology and ecology remains limited.
Phyllotreta constricta
A flea beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae, native to western North America. As with other Phyllotreta species, it possesses enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping. The species was described by E.H. Smith in 1985 and is documented from the Canadian prairie provinces.
Polygonia gracilis zephyrus
Zephyr Comma
A subspecies of comma butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, found in the western interior of North America. Adults display the characteristic ragged wing margins and comma-shaped silver marking on the hindwing underside shared with other Polygonia species. The subspecies is distinguished from other P. gracilis populations by geographic range and subtle phenotypic differences.
Proteoteras crescentana
Black-crescent Proteoteras Moth
A small tortricid moth found in northern North America, with records from the Canadian prairies and Vermont. The species belongs to a genus whose larvae are known to bore into maple plant tissues. Adults are attracted to light.
Pseudacontia crustaria
Pseudacontia crustaria is a species of noctuid moth described by Morrison in 1875. It belongs to the genus Pseudacontia within the subfamily Noctuinae. The species is known from the Canadian prairie provinces and appears to have a restricted distribution in western North America. Available information on its biology and ecology remains limited.
Rhyncolus knowltoni
Rhyncolus knowltoni is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae, described by Thatcher in 1940. The genus Rhyncolus belongs to the true weevils, a large and diverse group of beetles characterized by their elongated snouts. This species is known from limited collection records across the Canadian Prairie Provinces.
Scaphomorphus puberulus
Scaphomorphus puberulus is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae, described by LeConte in 1876. It belongs to the genus Scaphomorphus, a group of lixine weevils found in North America. The species is documented from the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Manitoba, though specific details about its biology, host associations, and ecology remain poorly known in published literature.
Speyeria cybele krautwurmi
Great Spangled Fritillary
Speyeria cybele krautwurmi is a subspecies of the great spangled fritillary butterfly, recognized by Holland in 1931. It belongs to a species complex known for visual-based navigation to habitat patches and close ecological ties to violet host plants. The subspecies occurs in northern North America, with records from the Canadian Prairie provinces and Vermont.
Stretchia muricina
Stretchia muricina is a noctuid moth species described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1876. It is distributed across North America, with confirmed records from the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. The species belongs to the genus Stretchia within the subfamily Noctuinae. It is represented by 164 observations on iNaturalist, indicating moderate documentation but limited published biological detail.
Sympistis piffardi
Three-striped Oncocnemis
Sympistis piffardi is a noctuid moth species found in central and northern North America. The common name "three-striped oncocnemis" refers to distinctive longitudinal markings on the forewings. It was originally described by Francis Walker in 1862. Records indicate presence in Canadian prairie provinces and the northeastern United States.
Tapinocyba cameroni
Tapinocyba cameroni is a species of sheet-web weaving spider in the family Linyphiidae, described in 2007 from Canada. The species is known from the prairie provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. As a member of the dwarf spider family Linyphiidae, it is likely small-bodied with typical linyphiid morphology including reduced eyes and specialized setae on the tarsi.
Telethusia ovalis
Telethusia ovalis is a species of moth in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. It was described by Packard in 1874. The species is recorded from the Canadian prairie provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Like other members of the genus Telethusia, it is a small moth, though specific morphological details distinguishing it from congeners are not well documented in available sources.
Tinea irrepta
A small moth species in the fungus moth family Tineidae, described by Braun in 1926. Known from scattered records across central Canada. As a member of the genus Tinea, it likely shares the family's characteristic larval habits of feeding on keratinaceous materials, though specific details for this species remain poorly documented.