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Species Prochoerodes lineola - Large Maple Spanworm - Hodges#6982
Classification Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily Geometroidea (Geometrid and Swallowtail Moths)
Family Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
Subfamily Ennominae
Tribe Ourapterygini
Genus Prochoerodes
Species lineola (Large Maple Spanworm - Hodges#6982)
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes Prochoerodes transversata
and 6 other synonyms listed at All-Leps Numbers one of 7 species in this genus in North America listed at All-Leps
2 subspecies: P. l. incurvata; P. l. lineola
common throughout range Identification Adult: wing color varies from yellowish to light brown to dark brown, with or without blackish shading; outer margins of wings angular with shallow point near middle, but not scalloped or wavy; short upper section of postmedial line (near costa) curves outward, not inward [compare similar species in See Also section below]
Larva: a slender twig mimic, abdomen brown above, yellowish below; lateral stripe whitish; spiracles beige, outlined in brown Range eastern two-thirds of North America: Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Texas, north to Alberta; the only Prochoerodes species in the east Habitat mixedwood and deciduous forests and woodlands; adults are nocturnal and come to light Season Adults have been recorded late June to late October on Block Island, RI, and they are common early July at least to early October. (2)Food Larvae feed on leaves of apple, birch, blueberry, cherry, currant, geranium, grass, maple, oak, poplar, soybean, sweetfern, walnut, willow, and other plants. Life Cycle Two generations per year. (3)
Overwinter in pupal stage. (3)Remarks The common name of Large Maple Spanworm may be confused with Maple Spanworm ( Ennomos magnaria), and Lesser Maple Spanworm ( Macaria pustularia).
Earlier comments on guide page--perhaps worth retaining:
Large Maple Spanworm Moth
I sent this to Bob Belmont, an expert in Geometrids. This is his shortened response:
"This is 6982 - Prochoerodes transversata [lineola]. The smooth transition to a point on the hind wing margins, tranversata is always like this, not wavy, or not smooth. This species is extremely variable from light to dark (this is one of the darkest shades) and with many markings. Eventually, I'll try and send a series of a dozen or more photos [for his plate series at MPG] that comprise stepping stones within the range of this species."
… Bob Patterson, 27 February, 2005 - 10:44pm
… john and jane balaban, 1 March, 2005 - See Also Curve-toothed Geometer ( Eutrapela clemataria) hindwing outer margin is scalloped or wavy, and the short upper section of its forewing PM line (near costa) curves inward, not outward
Confused Eusarca ( Eusarca confusaria) hindwing outer margin is rounded, the short upper section of its forewing PM line (near costa) is missing or faint, and overall color is usually pale tan or light brown
Juniper Geometer ( Patalene olyzonaria) hindwing outer margin is rounded, the short upper section of its forewing PM line (near costa) curves inward, not outward
( compare images of all four species at CBIF)
species of Synaxis and Tetracis have a completely straight PM line on forewing, not hooked near costa Print References Covell, p. 373, plate 56 #2 (1)
Wagner, Caterpillars of Eastern North America, p. 193--photos of caterpillar and specimen of adult (4)Internet References live adult images plus dates and common name reference (Bob Patterson, Maryland)
pinned adult image plus description, habitat, flight season, similar species, foodplants, distribution (G.G. Anweiler, U. of Alberta)
dead larva image (Pedro Barbosa, U. of Maryland)
distribution in Canada list of provinces (CBIF) Works Cited | 3. | Eastern Forest Insects
Whiteford L. Baker. 1972. U.S. Department of Agriculture · Forest Service. | |
| 4. | Caterpillars of Eastern North America
David L. Wagner. 2005. Princeton University Press. |  |
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