Acronicta lanceolaria (Grt.)

Local and rare in Alberta, but no obvious concerns.

Alberta specimens have been collected in early June.

Nova Scotia to British Columbia, but apparently rare everywhere. In Alberta it has been collected in the dunes southeast Edgerton and in the Red Deer River valley north of Jenner.

A large pale grey moth without prominent markings. Forewings more pointed than in most noctuids, powdery pale grey with the orbicular and reniform spots and postmedian lines variably but faintly marked by white scales. Hindwings shining white. Similar to A. oblinita, but larger and with wings narrower, more pointed and without the darker markings. Also the row of dark terminal dots, which is prominent in oblinita, is obscure or lacking in lanceolaria. Antennae simple.

Dry or sandy habitats with cherry and other shrubs.

Poorly known. There is a single annual brood and the adults are attracted to light.

No Alberta data: elsewhere reported larval hosts include Large-tooth aspen (Populus grandidenata), willow (Salix) and cherry (Prunus) (Rockburne and Lafontaine 1996). Prentice lists single larval host records for four tree species; tamarack (Larix), Red pine (Pinus), poplar (Populus) and white birch (Betula papyrifera).