Species Macaria sexmaculata - Six-spotted Angle - Hodges#6343

6343

Larch Looper (larva)

Green Larch Looper (larva)

formerly Semiothisa sexmaculata

SEXMACULATA: from the Latin "sex" (six) + "macula" (a spot); refers to the adult, and is the origin of the common name "Six-spotted Angle"

wingspan 16-24 mm

larvae to 18 mm

Adult: amount of spotting varies: well-marked individuals have 3 lines running completely across the forewing, and the beginning of a 4th (subterminal) line at the costa; large dark blotch present in subterminal area halfway across wing; forewing ground color white, shading to medium brown in subterminal area

hindwing ground color white; 3 lines noticeable along inner margin but fade out before reaching halfway across wing; both wings covered with brown speckling

Larva: body green with distinct pale stripes; also purplish-brown form; yellowish-green head with bluish forehead; dark green middorsal stripe edged distinctly with white; broad, white subdorsal stripe; mainly white spiracular stripe with light yellow near spiracles; yellow band on hind margin of segments; prolegs usually blushed with whitish-yellow

from Alaska to Nunavut and Newfoundland, south in the east to Massachusetts, and south in the west to Oregon

boreal forest, edges of sphagnum bogs, mixed woods with tamarack or western larch

adults fly from June to August

larvae from July to October

larvae feed on tamarack and western larch

one or two generations per year; overwinters as a pupa in soil or sphagnum moss

BOLD

MPG

common name reference [Six-spotted Angle] and flight season (Ohio State U.)

live larva image plus common name reference [Green Larch Looper], description of larva, food plant, biology (forestpests.org)

live larva image plus common name reference [Larch Looper], description, food plants, biology (Canadian Forest Service)