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Species Details
Enypia venata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameVariable Girdle
SeasonalityIn Alberta adults fly in August
IdentificationA mid-sized, grey geometrid with heavy grey speckling and a dark broad median band, with a heavily scalloped border. Hindwing paler, with a faint PM line. Discal spot black, not white as in Caripeta species. Very similar to Nepytia species (particulary freemani), but in Enypia the forewing PM line comes closest to the wing margin near the apex (where it joins the costa), and in Nepytia the PM line is is nearest the wing margin in the subapica (not apical) area. Distinguished from E. griseata by the AM line, which jogs out to the discal spot in venata - the discal spot is well-separated from the AM band in griseata.
Scientific Name
Enypia venata
Common Name
Variable Girdle
Habitat
Montane coniferous forest. In the Kananaskis River valley, this species is found in lodgepole pine -
Seasonality
In Alberta adults fly in August
Identification
A mid-sized, grey geometrid with heavy grey speckling and a dark broad median band, with a heavily scalloped border. Hindwing paler, with a faint PM line. Discal spot black, not white as in Caripeta species. Very…
A mid-sized, grey geometrid with heavy grey speckling and a dark broad median band, with a heavily scalloped border. Hindwing paler, with a faint PM line. Discal spot black, not white as in Caripeta species. Very similar to Nepytia species (particulary freemani), but in Enypia the forewing PM line comes closest to the wing margin near the apex (where it joins the costa), and in Nepytia the PM line is is nearest the wing margin in the subapica (not apical) area. Distinguished from E. griseata by the AM line, which jogs out to the discal spot in venata - the discal spot is well-separated from the AM band in griseata.
Life History
Larvae are rather stout for a geometrid, somewhat resembling cutworms. They exhibit a grey and a rust-brown colour morph, and feed on conifer foliage until the onset of cooler weather in the fall; hibernation is in…
Larvae are rather stout for a geometrid, somewhat resembling cutworms. They exhibit a grey and a rust-brown colour morph, and feed on conifer foliage until the onset of cooler weather in the fall; hibernation is in the 4th or 5th larval instar (Duncan 2003). Adults are nocturnal and come to lights.
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
Larvae feed on conifers. Western hemlock (Tsuga), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga), and spruce (Picea) are reported hosts (Prentice 1963).
Range
Southern Alaska to New Mexico, east to western Alberta (McGuffin 1987).
Citation
Page Citation for Enypia venata
Page Citation
"Species Details - Enypia venata, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-4196/9-250721. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.
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 (Lepidoptera): II. Subfamily Ennominae, 4
Publication Date
1987
Series Title
Memoirs of the Entomological Society of Canada
Volume
138
Pages
182
Specimen Information
There are 12 specimens of this Species.
UASM78573 - Enypia venata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kakwa Wildland Provincial Park
Collected ByMacaulay, D.
Date Collected2006-07-23
UASM78874 - Enypia venata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kakwa Wildland Provincial Park
Collected ByMacaulay, D.
Date Collected2006-07-24
UASM78875 - Enypia venata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kakwa Wildland Provincial Park
Collected ByMacaulay, D.
Date Collected2006-07-24
UASM59883 - Enypia venata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Mount Revelstoke National Park, Mount Revelstoke
Collected BySpencer, G. J.
Date Collected1952-08-11
UASM95855 - Enypia venata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Beaver Mines Lake
Collected ByPike, E. M.
Date Collected1993-07-14
UASM95856 - Enypia venata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Beaver Mines Lake
Collected ByPike, E. M.
Date Collected2002-07-28
UASM99644 - Enypia venata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2008-09-08
UASM187514 - Enypia venata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Cranbrook
Collected ByJanz, L.
Date Collected1994-07-12
UASM187515 - Enypia venata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Cranbrook
Collected ByJanz, L.
Date Collected1995-08-01
UASM187516 - Enypia venata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Cranbrook
Collected ByJanz, L.
Date Collected1995-08-02
UASM187517 - Enypia venata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Cranbrook
Collected ByJanz, L.
Date Collected1995-08-05
UASM187518 - Enypia venata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Cranbrook
Collected ByJanz, L.
Date Collected1999-08-17