THE BEGGAR

THE BEGGAR

Eupaphe mendica
GEOMETER MOTH FAMILY (Geometridae)

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The Beggar has a wingspan of about 1 to 1.25 inches. The wings are a translucent pale yellow. The AM and PM lines consist of gray blotches rather than continuous lines. On the forewing the basal section of the costa has an orange blush that can extend across the top of the thorax and onto the head. The caterpillar is an elongate, brown twig mimic.

 

The Beggar is probably a common moth at Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods. It has been photographed at the Fontenelle Forest Nature Center in late May and late June and at Neale Woods in early June. The adults fly from May to September. The adults are attracted to artificial lights.

 

This moth is in the subfamily Larentiinae. The larval foodplants are maples and violets. There are 2 or more broods each year.

 

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