Numbers
the only species in this genus in North America
Identification
Adult: typical color form is yellow and a delicate pink in broad bands--distinctive, along with hooktip shape. Forewing PM line angles back sharply toward costa below apex. Hindwing PM line wavy, sometimes lacking. Form "irrorata" is entirely brown or brownish-purple with dark lines - a leaf mimic.
Larva: orange to brown; head with prominent thorny projection to either side, resembling two horns; third thoracic segment arched; tail with long tapering point, the only eastern caterpillar with the latter feature.
Range
occurs coast-to-coast in southern Canada but apparently restricted to eastern half of United States, west to Alabama and Minnesota (the species appears on this
Colorado list but the collection includes specimens taken from outside of Colorado)
Habitat
Deciduous forests, adjacent areas
Season
adults fly from May to September
larvae from July to October
Food
Larva feeds on leaves of birch (Betula spp.) and Viburnum species.
Remarks
The two color forms look like different species.
See Also
Other hooktips are colored differently, usually much lighter. See this page at
Drepanoidea of Canada.
Juniper Geometer (
Patalene olyzonaria) resembles brown form of Rose Hooktip but has a black discal spot near costa, and a straight PM line on hindwing.
Print References
Covell, p. 343, plate 46 #1.
(1)
Himmelman, plate B-5.
(2)
Wagner,
Caterpillars of Eastern Forests, p. 68
(3)
Wagner,
Caterpillars of Eastern North America, p. 139--photo of adult (specimen) and caterpillar
(4)Internet References
Caterpillars of Eastern Forests live larva image, description, food plants, seasonality, life cycle (David Wagner and Valerie Giles; USGS)
Lynn Scott's page, Ontario--shows two adult color forms, plus description, food plants, flight season
Maryland Moths--shows two color forms
pinned adult images of two color forms (CBIF)
Insects of Quebec pinned adult image
distribution in Canada list of provinces (CBIF)
