Species Macaria abruptata - Hodges#6294

6294

Macaria abruptata Walker, 1862)

Itame abruptata

described in 1862 by Walker, who originally placed it in genus Camptogramma

wingspan about 21-22 mm, based on three Internet photos

Adult: forewing light yellowish-brown with blurry coalesced speckling; basal, AM, and PM lines diffuse brown; fragmented black patch midway along PM line is the only dark marking, and contrasts sharply against ground color; sharp-angled jog in PM line near costa; indistinct pale patch at apex; terminal area has slightly darker shading; hindwing similar but lacks black patch; discal spot small, blurry, faint; outer margins of all wings rounded, not angular or pointed

northeastern United States and adjacent Canada (Internet records from MD, MI, NY, ON, PA, QC, VA, WI)

sandy riparian and lakeside areas where larval foodplant grows

adults fly in June and July

larvae feed on leaves of Common Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)

Larva; prepupal larva; pupa; adult; adult

Apparently a local or rare species with a restricted diet, short flight season, and limited distribution. Global status G4 as of 2003.

Other Macaria species lack the combination of a sharp-angled jog in the PM line near the costa and a black patch midway along the PM line as the only dark marking on the forewing (compare images of numerous related species at CBIF and by Jim Vargo at MPG)

Ferguson, D. C., 2008. Moths of America North of Mexico, Fascicle 17.2: p. 86; pl. 2.10-12. (1)

Sihvonen, P. & P. Skou, 2015. Ennominae I. In: A. Hausmann (ed.): The Geometrid Moths of Europe, 5: 1-657.(2)

Moth Photographers Group