Speranza pustularia explained

Speranza pustularia, the lesser maple spanworm, is a moth of the family Geometridae. Adults are on wing from May to July in the south and from June to August in the north. There is one generation per year.

Description

Adults have white wings with wavy orange-yellow lines across both the forewings and hindwings. These lines are often thicker at the top-most edge of the forewing. The wingspan is 18–27 mm.

Range and Habitat

The lesser maple spanworm is found from Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Mississippi, north to North Dakota and Saskatchewan. They are most common in deciduous and mixed forests.[1]

Ecology

The larvae feed on the leaves of maple, especially Acer rubrum. While A. rubrum is their primary food source, they may also feed on Acer saccharum and Acer saccharinum. Some have also been recorded on birch, cherry, poplar, Abies, Tsuga and tamarack.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Species Macaria pustularia - Lesser Maple Spanworm - Hodges#6273 . 2023-12-31 . bugguide.net.