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Digital Guide to Moth Identification

Noctuidae
931224 – 8940   Syngrapha abstrusa Eichlin & Cunningham, 1978

© Ian Maton
Similar Species:
  • Syngrapha abstrusa, alias, cryptica and rectangula cannot be reliably separated using DNA barcoding, PLoS ONE 12(6): e0178548; Suppl. Table S8. Examiantion of genitalia is usually required."... In general, abstrusa is a little smaller than alias, the central silver spots usually are separated, the pattern seems more reticulated than in alias and the pale areas have a slight violet tint, whereas alias averages larger, the silver spots usually are fused, and often there is a brownish patch in the medial area just beyond and below the silver patch. The male genitalia are different and the differences can often be seen without dissection if the two valves are a little protruding, or separated slightly, so you can brush away the scales and look between the valves. The long clasper almost reached the dorsal margin of the valve, whereas in alias it is hard to find because if your brushing the tails because it's so small. Also the end of the valve is more foot-shaped with a tiny "neck" so it often breaks when you brush the tails, unlike in abstrusa." - Chris Schmidt & Don Lafonataine (pers. comm., 03/5/2018)
  • Pinned specimens of related species. (Hint: select View by Region on the related species page.)
Synonymy: Syngrapha abstrusa Eichlin & Cunningham, 1978
References
  • Barcode of Life (BOLD) - Caution: DNA barcode provides evidence of relatedness, not proof of identification, and some BOLD specimens shown may not be sequenced.
  • Lafontaine, J. D. & R. W. Poole, 1991. Moths of America North of Mexico, Fascicle 25.1: p. 114; pl. 3.31-33. order or free PDF
  • Species Page at BugGuide.Net
  • Species Page at E. H. Strickland Museum
  • Species Page at Pacific Northwest Moths
  • Zahiri R., J.D. Lafontaine, B.C. Schmidt, J.R. deWaard, E.V. Zakharov, P.D.N. Hebert, 2017. Probing planetary biodiversity with DNA barcodes: The Noctuoidea of North America. PLoS ONE, 12(6): e0178548.
Syngrapha abstrusa
© Steve Walter
Syngrapha abstrusa
© Larry Line
Syngrapha abstrusa
LG – © Jim Troubridge
Syngrapha abstrusa
28mm – © Jim Vargo
Syngrapha abstrusa
© Canadian National Collection LG

Syngrapha abstrusa
© Canadian National Collection LG


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