Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Nemoria arizonaria (Grote
(1), 1883)
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Aplodes arizonaria Grote,1883
Nemoria aemularia Barnes & McDunnough, 1918
Nemoria olivearia Cassino, 1927
Numbers
There are 36 named species of the genus
Nemoria in America north of Mexico.
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(2)Size
Ferguson (1985) listed the forewing length.
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♂ 11-13 mm.
♀ 12.5-15 mm.
Identification
There are two forms described.
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Winter-early spring form has a dark costa
Late spring-summer form females have the first five dorsal abdominal segments shaded reddish. The pale yellowish costa is as wide as the fringe of the same color. Wings striated with white.
Grote (1883) original description as
Aplodes arizonaria is avaiable online.
125.
Range
Arizona to western Texas (Davis Mountains).
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(3)Habitat
Canyons between 4,000-8,000'.
(2)Season
Powell & Opler (2009) reported two flight periods of mid-February to mid-May and mid-June to mid-August.
(4)Food
Ferguson (1985) reported McFarland (1982) reared the species on
Quercus L. (oak).
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Larvae of the spring generation feed on oak catkins and develop into highly cryptic mimics of catkins.
(5)Life Cycle
These moths differ in appearance and behavior between generations. Larvae of the spring generation feed on oak catkins and develop into highly cryptic mimics of catkins, showing a yellow rugose integument with reddish-brown stamen-like dots. Summer broods feed on oak leaves and have a greenish-grey, less rugose integument.
(5)See Also
Nemoria daedalea is very similar to the early season form of
N. arizonaria with the darker costa but has yellow fringe and less distinct transverse lines.
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Compare to other related species on the pinned plates of
Moth Photographers Group.
Print References
Ferguson, D.C., 1969. A revision of the moths of the subfamily Geometrinae of America North of Mexico (Insecta, Lepidoptera).
Peabody Museum of Natural History Yale University Bulletin 29, p.
45; plate 9, figs. 1, 1a, 1b; plate 31, fig. 2; plate 43, fig.5, 6.
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Ferguson, D.C. 1985.
The Moths of America North of Mexico, Fascicle 18.1. The Wedge Entomological Research Foundation, p. 27; plate 1, figs. 30-36.
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Grote, A.R., 1883. New species and notes on structure of moths and genera.
The Canadian Entomologist 15, p.
125.
Powell, J.A. & P.A. Opler, 2009.
Moths of Western North America. University of California Press, plate 31, figs. 15-16; p. 220.
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