Species Details
Macaria decorata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameDecorated Granite
SeasonalityFlies primarily in July and August, peaking in late July.
IdentificationForewing pale grey with fine dark striations and usually weakly developed costal wedges; Black AM and PM lines variably developed, median line usually absent. Black discal spot. Hindwing slightly paler, sometimes with PM and submarginal line and discal spot. Terminal line finely checkered black and white. Sexes similar.
Wing pattern very similar to some Semiothisa, but these have simple male antennae, not pectinate as in Itame.
Bowman (1951) erroneously reported Alberta specimens of this species as I. denticulodes (Hulst) (McGuffin 1972).
Scientific Name
Macaria decorata
Common Name
Decorated Granite
Habitat
Open woodlands and parkland.
Seasonality
Flies primarily in July and August, peaking in late July.
Identification
Forewing pale grey with fine dark striations and usually weakly developed costal wedges; Black AM and PM lines variably developed, median line usually absent. Black discal spot. Hindwing slightly paler, sometimes with…
Forewing pale grey with fine dark striations and usually weakly developed costal wedges; Black AM and PM lines variably developed, median line usually absent. Black discal spot. Hindwing slightly paler, sometimes with PM and submarginal line and discal spot. Terminal line finely checkered black and white. Sexes similar.
Wing pattern very similar to some Semiothisa, but these have simple male antennae, not pectinate as in Itame.
Bowman (1951) erroneously reported Alberta specimens of this species as I. denticulodes (Hulst) (McGuffin 1972).
Life History
McGuffin (1972) describes the immature stages in detail. This species is often found together with I. bitacta in AB and BC (McGuffin1972). Adults come to light.
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
Larvae feed on gooseberries and currants (Ribes spp.)(McGuffin 1972).
Range
A western species, found from southern BC and Alberta to Colorado. In Alberta it is found primarily in the foothills and mountains from Nordegg southward (McGuffin 1972).
Citation
Page Citation for Macaria decorata
Page Citation
"Species Details - Macaria decorata, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-3883. Accessed 25 Jan. 2025.
References
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 16 specimens of this Species.
UASM9321 - Macaria decorata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Banff National Park, Banff
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1921-08-24
UASM9327 - Macaria decorata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, High River
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1922-08
UASM9354 - Macaria decorata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1920-08-05
UASM9357 - Macaria decorata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, High River
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1922-07
UASM9360 - Macaria decorata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1920-06-27
UASM9367 - Macaria decorata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1920-08-06
UASM9373 - Macaria decorata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Hillcrest
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1926-06-24
UASM9385 - Macaria decorata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, High River
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1922-07
UASM9397 - Macaria decorata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1920-07-28
UASM57119 - Macaria decorata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, South Saskatchewan River
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2004-06-02
UASM57156 - Macaria decorata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edgerton
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2004-06-01
UASM57200 - Macaria decorata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Oldman River
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2004-06-21
UASM41387 - Macaria decorata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Waterton National Park
Collected ByPike, E. M.
Date Collected2005-07-11
UASM59968 - Macaria decorata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kootenay Plains
Collected BySchmidt, B. C.; Dombroskie, J.
Date Collected2006-07-28
UASM110773 - Macaria decorata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Yukon Territory, Kusawa Lake
Collected BySchmidt, B. C.
Date Collected2004-06-30
UASM99658 - Macaria decorata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2008-09-08