Other Common Names
called Highfliers in Europe
Numbers
56 species in North America (
nearctica.com)
23 species in Canada (
CBIF)
Identification
forewing varies from light to dark, crossed by several wavy lines and bands of color (this applies to several genera of geometrids)
hindwing usually pale and unmarked
Range
throughout North America, including the arctic
also occurs in Eurasia
Season
adults in spring and summer
Food
larvae feed on a variety of coniferous trees plus alder, hawthorn, and willow (certain species may have a single or preferred host plant)
Life Cycle
a number of species overwinter as a larva
Remarks
difficult to identify species by sight, as there are a number of similar species and their color/pattern varies among individuals
Internet References
pinned adult images of all species occurring in Canada (CBIF)
live adult image of
H. furcata (Jeremy Tatum, Butterflies and Moths of Southern Vancouver Island)
live larva images of
H. speciosata (Canadian Forest Service)
technical description (British Insects: Geometridae)
