Common NameThe VestalSeasonalityLate May to late July, peaking late June-early July. Occasional second brood in early September.IdentificationA medium-size pure white geometrid with a light speckling of grey scales. Alberta specimens almost always lack the transverse bands found in other members of the genus. Most likely to be confused with Eudeilinea herminiata (Drepanidae) and Protitame virginalis. E. herminiata lacks the dark speckling. The forelegs are orange-brown on C. variolaria, dark grey in P. virginalis.
Scientific NameCabera variolariaCommon Name
The Vestal
Habitat
Mixedwood and deciduous forest and parkland.
Seasonality
Late May to late July, peaking late June-early July. Occasional second brood in early September.
Identification
A medium-size pure white geometrid with a light speckling of grey scales. Alberta specimens almost always lack the transverse bands found in other members of the genus. Most likely to be confused with Eudeilinea…
A medium-size pure white geometrid with a light speckling of grey scales. Alberta specimens almost always lack the transverse bands found in other members of the genus. Most likely to be confused with Eudeilinea herminiata (Drepanidae) and Protitame virginalis. E. herminiata lacks the dark speckling. The forelegs are orange-brown on C. variolaria, dark grey in P. virginalis.
Life History
The larva, known as the Pink-striped willow spanworm, exhibits a green form and a brown form, illustrated in Wagner et al. (2001) and Ives & Wong (1988). Eggs are laid singly below but along the edge of host leaves.…
The larva, known as the Pink-striped willow spanworm, exhibits a green form and a brown form, illustrated in Wagner et al. (2001) and Ives & Wong (1988). Eggs are laid singly below but along the edge of host leaves. Pupae hibernate (McGuffin 1988). Adults can be flushed up during the day, but also fly at night and come to lights.
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
Larvae feed on poplars (Populus spp.) and willows (Salix spp.) (McGuffin 1981).
Range
Interior BC east to Newfoundland, north to the southern NWT,south to GA, NE, FL and NM (McGuffin 1981, Wagner et al. 2001).
Citation
Page Citation for Cabera variolaria
Page Citation
"Cabera variolaria, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-3885. Accessed 22 May. 2022.