Species Details

Mesothea incertata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »

Common NamePlain Emerald, Day Emerald SeasonalityIn Alberta adults fly in May and June, peaking mid May through early June. IdentificationA small dusky green geometrid with a faint (sometimes absent) transverse PM line. Flight-worn individuals can fade to a dusky tan, quite unlike the dusky olive of freshly emerged moths. The small size, uniform green abdomen and absence of a PM line will separate this species from other emeralds (Nemoria, Synchlora and Cheteoscelis). Ferguson (1985) recognized two subspecies, both of which occur in Alberta. The nominate subspecies is slightly smaller with more distinct transverse lines, and occurs across the boreal region to the foothills. Subspecies viridipennata (Hulst) occurs from the Rocky Mountains west.

Scientific Name Mesothea incertata Common Name Plain Emerald, Day Emerald Habitat Dry open mixedwood and pine forest, peat bogs and grasslands. Seasonality In Alberta adults fly in May and June, peaking mid May through early June. Identification
A small dusky green geometrid with a faint (sometimes absent) transverse PM line. Flight-worn individuals can fade to a dusky tan, quite unlike the dusky olive of freshly emerged moths. The small size, uniform green…
A small dusky green geometrid with a faint (sometimes absent) transverse PM line. Flight-worn individuals can fade to a dusky tan, quite unlike the dusky olive of freshly emerged moths. The small size, uniform green abdomen and absence of a PM line will separate this species from other emeralds (Nemoria, Synchlora and Cheteoscelis). Ferguson (1985) recognized two subspecies, both of which occur in Alberta. The nominate subspecies is slightly smaller with more distinct transverse lines, and occurs across the boreal region to the foothills. Subspecies viridipennata (Hulst) occurs from the Rocky Mountains west.
Life History
The caterpillar is green with a brown dorsal stripe. The body is slender and without noticeable bumps or protrusions, and the head and first thoracic segment each bear a pair of pointed horns (Wagner et al. 2001). The…
The caterpillar is green with a brown dorsal stripe. The body is slender and without noticeable bumps or protrusions, and the head and first thoracic segment each bear a pair of pointed horns (Wagner et al. 2001). The pupa overwinters. The adults are strictly diurnal. In the boreal forest, adults fly in open peat bogs, but this species is also found in dry montane and eroding river valley habitats associated with patches of bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi).
Conservation No concerns. Diet Info
Known larval hosts include a variety of shrubs in the Betulaceae, Salicaceae, Ericaceae and Rosaceae (Wagner et al. 2001). Associated with Labrador Tea (Ledum groenlandicum) and bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) in Alberta.
Known larval hosts include a variety of shrubs in the Betulaceae, Salicaceae, Ericaceae and Rosaceae (Wagner et al. 2001). Associated with Labrador Tea (Ledum groenlandicum) and bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) in Alberta.
Range
A northern species, found from Alaska and NWT south to New England, south in the mountains to CA, NV and CO (Ferguson 1985). In Alberta it occurs throughout the boreal and foothills regions, and locally in the aspen…
A northern species, found from Alaska and NWT south to New England, south in the mountains to CA, NV and CO (Ferguson 1985). In Alberta it occurs throughout the boreal and foothills regions, and locally in the aspen parkland south to the Rumsey area.
Mesothea incertata
Mesothea incertata
Mesothea incertata

Citation

Page Citation for Mesothea incertata

Page Citation

"Species Details - Mesothea incertata, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-3789. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Authorship

Name Schmidt, B. C.
Role species page author
Date 2003-08

References

Specimen Information

There are 50 specimens of this Species.

49 results plotted on map in 20 markers.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

UASM78382 - Mesothea incertata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, Big Island Lake Collected ByHilchie, G.; Hilchie, J.; Holmberg, R. Date Collected2004-06-14

BIRD20564 - Mesothea incertata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Stettler Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2007-05-26

UASM187742 - Mesothea incertata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Cranbrook Collected ByJanz, L. Date Collected1992-05-07

JD2102 - Mesothea incertata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kootenay Plains ER Ecological Reserve Collected ByDombroskie, J. J. Date Collected2007-05-30

CBCC1229 - Mesothea incertata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Moose Lake Provincial Park Collected ByChristensen, C. B. Date Collected2005-05-25

BIRD35804 - Mesothea incertata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2012-05-13

BIRD35805 - Mesothea incertata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2012-05-13

BIRD35806 - Mesothea incertata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield Collected ByBird, C. D. Date Collected2012-05-26

Adult Seasonal Distribution