Species Details
Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameShort-lined Granite
SeasonalityFlies in July and August, peaking in mid July.
IdentificationA grey geometrid with bold, black transverse lines on the forewing; the four dark costal wedges typical of the genus continue as AM, PM and median lines, the median line broadest and incorporating the discal spot. AM and PM line sometimes broken. Hindwing slightly paler, speckled grey with a faint (sometimes absent) PM line and discal spot, slightly darker marginal area. Sexes not dimorphic.
Similar to M. decorata, which has a speckled, not uniform grey, forewing ground colour, and lacks the thickened median line. Members of the genus Digrammia have a dark patch midway down the forewing submarginal area, absent in M. bitactata.
Scientific Name
Macaria bitactata
Common Name
Short-lined Granite
Habitat
Moist open woods and shrubby areas.
Seasonality
Flies in July and August, peaking in mid July.
Identification
A grey geometrid with bold, black transverse lines on the forewing; the four dark costal wedges typical of the genus continue as AM, PM and median lines, the median line broadest and incorporating the discal spot. AM…
A grey geometrid with bold, black transverse lines on the forewing; the four dark costal wedges typical of the genus continue as AM, PM and median lines, the median line broadest and incorporating the discal spot. AM and PM line sometimes broken. Hindwing slightly paler, speckled grey with a faint (sometimes absent) PM line and discal spot, slightly darker marginal area. Sexes not dimorphic.
Similar to M. decorata, which has a speckled, not uniform grey, forewing ground colour, and lacks the thickened median line. Members of the genus Digrammia have a dark patch midway down the forewing submarginal area, absent in M. bitactata.
Life History
The immature stages are detailed by McGuffin (1972). Adults come to light.
Conservation
No obvious concerns.
Diet Info
Larvae feed on alder (Alnus sp.) and gooseberry (Ribes sp.) (Prentice 1963).
Range
Newfoundland west to the Yukon and B.C., south to California (McGuffin 1972).
Citation
Page Citation for Macaria bitactata
Page Citation
"Species Details - Macaria bitactata, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-3881. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.
References
Author
Prentice, R. M.
Title
Forest Lepidoptera of Canada. (1963)
Publication Date
1963
Volume
3
Pages
281
Author
McGuffin, W. C.
Title
Guide to the Geometridae of Canada. II. Subfamily Ennominae. 1.
Publication Date
1972
Series Title
Memoirs of the Entomological Society of Canada
Volume
86
Pages
159
Specimen Information
There are 58 specimens of this Species.
UASM9340 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lloydminster
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1942-07-18
UASM9347 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Brule
Date Collected1917-07-31
UASM9351 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lloydminster
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1942-07-20
UASM9356 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Cadomin
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1920-08-24
UASM9359 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1922-07-24
UASM9365 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lloydminster
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1942-07-20
UASM9366 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected BySalt, George
Date Collected1920-08-06
UASM9369 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lloydminster
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1942-07-29
UASM9374 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lloydminster
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1942-07-20
UASM9375 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, High River
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1922-07-15
BIRD1620 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Arrowwood
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2000-08-03
BIRD1621 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nevis
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2001-07-20
BIRD1622 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nevis
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2001-07-20
BIRD1623 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Buffalo Lake Provincial Recreation Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2001-07-15
BIRD1624 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nevis
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2001-07-20
BIRD1625 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nevis
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2001-07-20
BIRD1626 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nevis
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-07-07
BIRD1627 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nevis
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-07-22
BIRD1628 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nevis
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-08-06
BIRD1629 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Buffalo Lake Provincial Recreation Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2003-07-27
BIRD1630 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Buffalo Lake Provincial Recreation Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2003-07-27