Lesser Maple Spanworm

Lesser Maple Spanworm

Speranza pustularia
GEOMETER MOTH FAMILY (Geometridae)

The Lesser Maple Spanworm has a wingspan of approximately 1 inch. The white forewing is crossed with variably fragmented orange to brown lines that widen towards the costa. There may be brown marks on the postmedial and terminal lines. However, in some individuals only marks along the costa are visible. The labial palps are beak-like projecting forward beyond the eyes. The caterpillar is green with contrasting narrow white, cream or yellow lines. The head is green. It grows to less than 1 inch.

 

The frequency of occurrence in this area is not known. One was photographed at Fontenelle Forest in mid-June 2016 coming to lights. It inhabits deciduous and mixed woods. It ranges from Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Mississippi, north to North Dakota and Saskatchewan. Adults fly from June to August. The larvae feed on the leaves of maple, but also birch, cherry, poplar and coniferous trees. There is one generation a year. The species overwinters as an egg.

 

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