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 01 May. 2024.
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.
BIRD16232 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2005-08-02
BIRD16233 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2005-08-02
BIRD16234 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Stettler
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2005-08-05
BIRD17291 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Stettler
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2006-06-24
BIRD17292 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Stettler
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2006-06-24
BIRD17293 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Stettler
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2006-07-13
BIRD17294 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Stettler
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2006-07-13
BIRD17295 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Stettler
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2006-07-13
BIRD17296 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Stettler
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2006-08-03
BIRD17297 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Stettler
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2006-08-03
BIRD20444 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Stettler
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2007-07-25
BIRD20445 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Stettler
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2007-07-25
BIRD20446 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Stettler
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2007-07-25
BIRD20447 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Arrowwood
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2007-09-02
BIRD21756 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Buffalo Lake Conservation Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2008-08-10
UASM103622 - Macaria bitactata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Willmore Wilderness Park, Smoky River
Collected ByMacaulay, D. A.; Hilchie, G.
Date Collected2007-07-15