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Species Details
Macaria brunneata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameOchre Granite
SeasonalityThe peak adult flight period is mid July.
IdentificationThis is the only Macaria with uniform ochre-brown wings; the males exhibit variably prominent dark transeverse lines, with the PM and AM lines sometimes fully developed. The three to four dark wedges along the forewing costa are not always present. Females are a lighter tan colour with well defined dark basal, AM and PM lines.
Scientific Name
Macaria brunneata
Common Name
Ochre Granite
Habitat
Open coniferous forest in the boreal and mountain region; old dune complexes.
Seasonality
The peak adult flight period is mid July.
Identification
This is the only Macaria with uniform ochre-brown wings; the males exhibit variably prominent dark transeverse lines, with the PM and AM lines sometimes fully developed. The three to four dark wedges along the…
This is the only Macaria with uniform ochre-brown wings; the males exhibit variably prominent dark transeverse lines, with the PM and AM lines sometimes fully developed. The three to four dark wedges along the forewing costa are not always present. Females are a lighter tan colour with well defined dark basal, AM and PM lines.
Life History
McGuffin (1972) describes the immature stages. Adults come to light, but are also easily flushed during the day. This species is usually associated with bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) in dry pine woods and along…
McGuffin (1972) describes the immature stages. Adults come to light, but are also easily flushed during the day. This species is usually associated with bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) in dry pine woods and along south-facing slopes.
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
Primarily heaths (Ericaceae) such as Vaccinium (Wood 1951); associated with bearberry (Arctostaphylos in Alberta. Other reported hosts include trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides), paper birch (Betula papyrifera)…
Primarily heaths (Ericaceae) such as Vaccinium (Wood 1951); associated with bearberry (Arctostaphylos in Alberta. Other reported hosts include trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides), paper birch (Betula papyrifera) and buffaloberry (Sheperdia canadensis). Aspen and birch are probably only occasional or accidental hosts, as M. brunneata was not reported from extensive collections from these plants by the Forest Insect Survey (Prentice 1963).
Range
NFLD and NS west to Alaska and BC; south to Massachussettes, Michigan and Wyoming; also n. Europe, Siberia and Japan.
Citation
Page Citation for Macaria brunneata
Page Citation
"Species Details - Macaria brunneata, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-3882/9-88788. Accessed 18 Sep. 2024.
References
Author
Wood, G. W.
Title
An anotated list of the lepidopterous larvaefrom commercial blueberry fields, Charlotte County, N.B.
Publication Date
1951
Series Title
The Canadian Entomologist
Volume
83
Pages
241-244
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 27 specimens of this Species.
UASM77886 - Macaria brunneata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Waterton National Park
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2005-07-12
BIRD16211 - Macaria brunneata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2005-08-13
UASM58780 - Macaria brunneata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Waterton National Park
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2005-07-11
JD0841 - Macaria brunneata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Jasper National Park, Pyramid Lake
Collected ByDombroskie, J. J.
Date Collected2006-07-04
UASM110884 - Macaria brunneata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Summit Lake
Collected BySchmidt, B. C.
Date Collected2005-08-06
UASM103620 - Macaria brunneata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Willmore Wilderness Park, Cote Creek
Collected ByMacaulay, D. A.; Hilchie, G.
Date Collected2007-07-13