Species Alsophila pometaria - Fall Cankerworm Moth - Hodges#6258

6258

Wingspan of males is 26-32 mm. (1)

Males have an even brownish grey forewing with jagged white and dark PM and AM lines, occasionally with a visible dark discal spot. The hindwings are light grey, with a dark discal spot and a faint pale PM line. (AEC)

The females are wingless and stout-bodied, with the body banded dark and pale gray. (1)

Larvae have 3 pairs of abdominal prolegs. (1)

Wooded areas including city parks, ornamental plantations and shelter belts. (AEC)

Fall through early winter

Larvae feed on a large variety of deciduous trees and shrubs, especially elm (Ulmus spp.), ash (Fraxinus spp.), and maple (Acer spp.). (AEC) Other hosts include hackberry, oak, various members of the rose family, walnut, and willow. (1)

The larvae are often a serious pest of many tree species elsewhere, although it rarely reaches densities high enough to do damage in Alberta. The eggs are laid in clusters on tree branches and trunks by the wingless females and hatch the following spring, synchronized with the flush of leaves. There are four larval stages, which are described in detail by McGuffin (1988). Larvae pupate in the soil and delay their emergence until fall, spending about four summer months as a pupa. Females in at least some populations are able to reproduce parthenogenetically (without mating). (McGuffin 1988). (AEC)

Adult female winter moths and linden loopers (both Geometridae) are also wingless and look similar to female fall cankerworms.

Alberta Entomology Collection - Image of pinned adult and bio info

Moth Photographers Group - Images of live adultds

Moths of Maryland - Images of live adults

All-Leps - Images of pinned adults & map of sample collection points

CBIF - Images of male & female pinned adults