Ottawa (Dunrobin), ON Canada

11 July 2004   11:56PM EST  (top)
11 July 2004   11:55PM EST  (bottom left)
4 August 2003  (specimen captured 30 July 2003)  (bottom right)
The first two photographs are of the same specimen.

Cucullia postera is one of six species of Cucullia that have been recorded from the Ottawa area (J.D. Lafontaine, pers.comm., 2001).  My thanks to Dr. J. D. Lafontaine and James T. Troubridge of Agriculture Canada for their help with the identification of the specimens above, which were collected and given to the Canadian National Collection in Ottawa.

Cucullia postera has the long narrow wings typical of its genus.  The forewing is medium to dark gray, somewhat streaked, and noticeably washed with reddish brown in the upper half.  The orbicular and reniform spots have pale outlines, filled with the brownish ground color.  The antemedial and postmedial lines are partially evident.  A dark streak extends most of the length of the inner margin.  At the inner margin, it appears that the end of the postmedial line is indicated by a double black curve, after which a black dash extends to the terminal line.  The area between this dash and the anal angle is reddish brown.  The hindwing is light grayish brown, darker near the outer margin.

Cucullia postera is similar in appearance to Cucullia florea (10197), but generally has much more intense reddish brown on the forewing, and more distinct markings.

The larvae of Cucullia postera feed on the flowers of some species of aster, goldenrod and fleabane (Handfield, 1999).  Handfield notes a flight season from slightly after mid-June to early August for my general area.

I have recorded this species at my location in 2001 on 30 July; in 2003 on 30 July; in 2004 on 11 July.