Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Chloroclystis rectangulata
described in 1758 by Linnaeus, who originally placed it in genus Phalaena
Numbers
the only species in this genus in North America listed at
All-LepsIdentification
Adult: head, thorax, abdomen, and wings mostly green in many specimens but some individuals are completely brown; several dark wiggly lines cross forewing and extend onto hindwing (these lines are continuous, not broken); two dark blotches in subterminal area -- one at costa and another about one-third distance from costa; hindwing much smaller than forewing but has similar color and pattern; broad blackish band across abdomen near base
Larva: head brown, tiny; body yellowish, tapered at both ends, with dull orange dorsal band on each abdominal segment
Range
northeastern United States, southeastern Canada, British Columbia and Washington
native to Europe
Habitat
woodlots, parks and gardens, edges, bushy open areas; adults are nocturnal and come to light
Season
adults fly from June to August
Food
in Europe, larvae feed on flower buds and flowers of apple, cherry, hawthorn, pear, serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.); diet in North America presumably similar
Remarks
introduced to northeastern North America from Europe around 1970 [Handfield, p. 255]; introduced to British Columbia at some later date
See Also
Olive-and-black Carpet (
Acasis viridata) forewing has transverse lines that are broken (not continuous) and has many black longitudinal dashes along veins, its hindwing is brownish-gray and virtually unmarked, and its abdomen lacks a blackish band near the base (compare images of both species
at CBIF and
at MPG)
Print References
Handfield, Louis. 1999. Les Guide Des Papillons Du Quebec. 662 pp. Broquet.
Internet References
live adult image plus common name reference and species account (Ian Kimber, UK Moths)
pinned adult and live larva images (Swedish Museum of Natural History)
distribution in Canada list of provinces (CBIF)