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Species Details
Macaria loricaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameFalse Bruce Spanworm
SeasonalityLate June to late July, peaking in mid July.
IdentificationA pale grey geometrid with indistinct markings. AM, PM and median dark lines usually present, the PM widest and slighltly darker. Patchy brown band distal to the PM band variably developed. Discal spot usually well-defined. Hindwings paler than the forewings, PM band usually visible. Females have vestigial wings and are flightless.
Similar to I. anataria and exauspicata; loricaria males have larger antennal pectinations giving a more feathery appearance, and females have vestigial wings. The forewings of exauspicata are also wider, and lack the more pronounced concavity of the forewing apex of anataria, giving the latter more notched appearing forewings. The forewing costal marks of loricaria are concolourous with the transverse lines, not darkest at the costa as in anataria and exauspicata.
This species is Holarctic; North American populations are subspecies julia (Hulst).
Scientific Name
Macaria loricaria
Common Name
False Bruce Spanworm
Habitat
Generally common in mixedwood and deciduous forests.
Seasonality
Late June to late July, peaking in mid July.
Identification
A pale grey geometrid with indistinct markings. AM, PM and median dark lines usually present, the PM widest and slighltly darker. Patchy brown band distal to the PM band variably developed. Discal spot usually…
A pale grey geometrid with indistinct markings. AM, PM and median dark lines usually present, the PM widest and slighltly darker. Patchy brown band distal to the PM band variably developed. Discal spot usually well-defined. Hindwings paler than the forewings, PM band usually visible. Females have vestigial wings and are flightless.
Similar to I. anataria and exauspicata; loricaria males have larger antennal pectinations giving a more feathery appearance, and females have vestigial wings. The forewings of exauspicata are also wider, and lack the more pronounced concavity of the forewing apex of anataria, giving the latter more notched appearing forewings. The forewing costal marks of loricaria are concolourous with the transverse lines, not darkest at the costa as in anataria and exauspicata.
This species is Holarctic; North American populations are subspecies julia (Hulst).
Life History
The immature stages are described by McGuffin (1972). Handfield (1999) notes that adults come to light, and are also occasionally attracted to sugar bait. One of the more common Itame species in Alberta.
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
The principal larval host is trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) (Prentice 1963).
Range
Alaska to Newfoundland and New York, south to Colorado (McGuffin 1972).
Citation
Page Citation for Macaria loricaria
Page Citation
"Species Details - Macaria loricaria, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-3886/9-112844. Accessed 04 Dec. 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
Author
Handfield, L.
Title
Le guide des papillons du Quebec.
Publication Date
1999
Pages
536
Specimen Information
There are 128 specimens of this Species.
BIRD16214 - Macaria loricaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2005-06-25
BIRD16215 - Macaria loricaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rochon Sands Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2005-06-28
BIRD16216 - Macaria loricaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Big Knife Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2005-06-29
BIRD16217 - Macaria loricaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Big Knife Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2005-06-29
BIRD16218 - Macaria loricaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2005-07-01
UASM59140 - Macaria loricaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park
Collected ByPohl, G. R.
Date Collected2005-07-11
BIRD17282 - Macaria loricaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2006-06-12
BIRD17283 - Macaria loricaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2006-06-12
BIRD17284 - Macaria loricaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Stettler
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2006-06-24
BIRD17285 - Macaria loricaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Stettler
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2006-06-24
BIRD17286 - Macaria loricaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2006-07-01
BIRD17287 - Macaria loricaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Big Knife Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2006-07-04
BIRD17288 - Macaria loricaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Big Knife Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2006-07-04
BIRD17289 - Macaria loricaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Big Knife Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2006-07-04
BIRD17290 - Macaria loricaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Big Knife Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2006-07-04
BIRD20440 - Macaria loricaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Stettler
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2007-06-26
BIRD20441 - Macaria loricaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Stettler
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2007-06-26
BIRD20442 - Macaria loricaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2007-07-04
UASM95793 - Macaria loricaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Peace River
Collected ByWalty, D.
Date Collected2003-06-25
UASM110876 - Macaria loricaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Yukon Territory, Haines Junction
Collected BySchmidt, B. C.
Date Collected2005-08-03
UASM110880 - Macaria loricaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Yukon Territory, Haines Junction
Collected BySchmidt, B. C.
Date Collected2005-08-03