Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Pero honestaria (Walker, 1860)
Azelina honestaria Walker, 1860
Azelina stygiaria Walker, 1866
Pero dyari Cassino & Swett, 1922
* phylogenetic sequence #199200
Size
Larva to 37 mm (Drooz, 1985).
Identification
Adult - forewing (FW) area between antemedian and postmedian (PM) lines dark purplish-gray, forming a broad wavy band across the wing; remainder of FW medium gray, the subterminal area being lighter than the basal area; outer edges of FW and hindwing slightly wavy but not conspicuously scalloped. PM line relatively straight as it approaches the inner margin of the FW after the deep curve. No black spot centered near the distal edge of the FW.
Range
Eastern United States and coast-to-coast in Canada.
Season
Adults fly from April to September.
(1)Food
Larvae feed on black cherry, black locust, and larch.
(1)Remarks
Description based in part on comments by J.D. Roberts on photos
here and
here.
See Also
P. morrisonaria - usually a straighter PM line (shallow sinus midway across wing), and outer margins of both wings are conspicuously scalloped.
P. ancetaria - the postmedian line approaches the inner margin of the forewing (after the curve bounding the large sinus), it goes through a 'double dip' curve. Near the distal edge of the FW, there is sometimes a black spot (approximately centered along that edge).
Compare images of the three species.
Separating Pero honestaria, ancetaria, and morrisonia - Jason D. Roberts
In honestaria, the PM area of the forewing is generally much less mottled than in ancetaria and morrisonia, with an almost nonexistent ST line (usually clearly seen as jagged/toothed and white in the other two). The FW median band of honestaria also, at the bottom 3rd, makes a straight, somewhat basad trajectory to the inner margin, whereas in the other two it has a tooth-like indent (as it crosses the anal vein). Honestaria also lacks the black spot near the midpoint of the FW outer margin, that may or may not be present on the other two. On the hindwing of honestaria, the PM line touches nearly the middle of the anal margin, whereas in the other two the PM line nearly reaches the anal angle. Finally, honestaria usually has smoother wing margins that are not serrated in appearance.
Now ancetaria and morrisonia are more difficult to separate, but generally morrisonia is much more mottled in overall appearance and often has a more deeply serrated appearance of its wing margins, particularly the HW outer margin. Also, in my experience, morrisonia often has some pale spots near the FW apex that I have not seen firsthand in any ancetaria specimens. But honestaria is usually the easiest to distinguish. Of course individual variation is always a factor.
Print References
Beadle, D. & S. Leckie 2012. Peterson Field Guide to Moths of Northeastern North America. Houghton Mifflin.
p.228-229
Covell Jr., C.V. 1984. A Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America. p.363, pl.54.17
(1)
Drooz, A.T. (ed.) 1985. Insects of Eastern forests. USDA Forest Service Miscellanious Publication 1426:
p.197
Grossbeck, J.A. 1911. Studies of the North American Geometrid moths of the genus
Pero. Proceedings of the USNM 38(1753):
363-366Internet References
live adult image (Lynn Scott, Ontario)
common name reference and other info (Ohio State U.)
distribution in Canada list of provinces, Nova Scotia to BC (CBIF)
