Species Details
Cabera variolaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameThe Vestal
SeasonalityLate 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 Name
Cabera variolaria
Common 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
"Species Details - 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 13 Jun. 2025.
References
Author
Wagner, D.L, D.L. Ferguson, T.L. McCabe and R.C. Reardon
Title
Geometroid Caterpillars of Northeastern and Appalachian Forests
Publication Date
2001
Pages
239
Author
McGuffin, W. C.
Title
Guide to the Geometridae of Canada (Lepidoptera): II. Subfamily Ennominae, 2.
Publication Date
1977
Series Title
Memoirs of the Entomological Society of Canada
Volume
101
Pages
191
Author
Ives, W. G. H. and H. R. Wong
Title
Tree and shrub insects of the prairie provinces
Publication Date
1988
Pages
327
Specimen Information
There are 177 specimens of this Species.
UASM7057 - Cabera variolaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Tofield
Collected BySchmidt, B. C.
Date Collected1999-06-24
UASM9826 - Cabera variolaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1917-06-26
UASM9829 - Cabera variolaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1917-07-06
UASM9832 - Cabera variolaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1947-06-17
UASM9833 - Cabera variolaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1940-09-03
UASM9836 - Cabera variolaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1918-06-11
UASM9842 - Cabera variolaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1915-07-13
UASM9843 - Cabera variolaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1918-06-06
UASM9844 - Cabera variolaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1917-06-05
UASM9846 - Cabera variolaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1916-07-12
UASM9847 - Cabera variolaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1919-06-15
UASM9848 - Cabera variolaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1917-06-14
UASM9849 - Cabera variolaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1917-07-01
UASM9851 - Cabera variolaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1935-09-14
UASM9852 - Cabera variolaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1943-10-08
UASM9853 - Cabera variolaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1917-07-08
UASM9854 - Cabera variolaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1919-05-26
UASM24898 - Cabera variolaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1998-06-14
UASM41727 - Cabera variolaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Sandy Point Recreation Area
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2000-06-05
BIRD1522 - Cabera variolaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2000-09-16
BIRD3057 - Cabera variolaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2003-08-21