Identification
forewing ground color pale yellowish with sharply-bent dark shaded PM line and brown speckling throughout; usually shows good contrast between dark and light areas but amount of dark shading varies considerably
Range
Nova Scotia to Georgia, west to Kentucky, north to Manitoba
Season
adults fly from May to July
Food
larvae feed on apple, blueberry, cherry, persimmon, sassafras
Remarks
Guide page creation based on Bob Patterson's identification of
this image, which Bob says is within the range of variation of 5 images of this species illustrated in Louis Handfield's 1999
Le Guide des Papillons du Quebec.
See Also
Common Metarranthis very similar, and both species show variation in color (see
sample images of both species)
Refracted Metarranthis patterned very much like this species, but tends to be darker, often with reddish or purplish shading.
Purple Metarranthis is smaller, much darker, deep purple in color, and not found as far north as this species.
Other species of Metarranthis besides homuraria, hypochraria, indeclinata, and refractaria do not have a sharply-bent PM line.
Pangrapta decoralis - Has long labial palpi. Note triangular dot on hindwing.
Internet References
live adult images by several photographers, plus similar species for comparison (Moth Photographers Group)
pinned adult image (James Adams, Dalton State College, Georgia)
