« Back to your search
Species Details
Iridopsis larvaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameBent-line Gray
SeasonalityLate May to mid July, with the peak flight period usually in late June.
IdentificationVery similar to Iridopsis ephyraria and humaria. Larvaria is the most widespread and common of the three. I. ephyraria and humaria are likely to be encountered only in the extreme eastern parts of the province. Genitalic examination is necessary to confirm identification. The male uncus is simple in larvaria but forked in ephyraria and humaria.
Scientific Name
Iridopsis larvaria
Common Name
Bent-line Gray
Habitat
Primarily a species of mixed wood and deciduous boreal forests in Alberta.
Seasonality
Late May to mid July, with the peak flight period usually in late June.
Identification
Very similar to Iridopsis ephyraria and humaria. Larvaria is the most widespread and common of the three. I. ephyraria and humaria are likely to be encountered only in the extreme eastern parts of the province.…
Very similar to Iridopsis ephyraria and humaria. Larvaria is the most widespread and common of the three. I. ephyraria and humaria are likely to be encountered only in the extreme eastern parts of the province. Genitalic examination is necessary to confirm identification. The male uncus is simple in larvaria but forked in ephyraria and humaria.
Life History
Wagner et al. (2001) illustrate the larva, and McGuffin (1977) gives a detailed description of all immature stages. The larva rests with the body arched up and the thoracic legs on the substrate (Wagner et al 2001).…
Wagner et al. (2001) illustrate the larva, and McGuffin (1977) gives a detailed description of all immature stages. The larva rests with the body arched up and the thoracic legs on the substrate (Wagner et al 2001). Hibernation is as a pupa, and adults are nocturnal and come to light.
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
Larvae feed on a variety of deciduous trees and shrubs, most commonly on Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) and Speckled Alder (Alnus rugosa) (Prentice 1963).
Range
Widespread throughout forested regions of North America, from Alaska to Newfoundland south to Georgia and Mexico (McGuffin 1977).
Citation
Page Citation for Iridopsis larvaria
Page Citation
"Species Details - Iridopsis larvaria, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-4213/9-53611. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
References
Author
Prentice, R. M.
Title
Forest Lepidoptera of Canada. (1963)
Publication Date
1963
Volume
3
Pages
281
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
Specimen Information
There are 53 specimens of this Species.
UASM7011 - Iridopsis larvaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Tofield
Collected BySchmidt, B. C.
Date Collected1999-06-15
UASM7012 - Iridopsis larvaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Tofield
Collected BySchmidt, B. C.
Date Collected1999-06-15
UASM9626 - Iridopsis larvaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1920-06-27
UASM9627 - Iridopsis larvaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1921-06-22
UASM9629 - Iridopsis larvaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1942-06-08
UASM9630 - Iridopsis larvaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1942-06-05
UASM9632 - Iridopsis larvaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1920-06-21
UASM9633 - Iridopsis larvaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1934-07-08
UASM9634 - Iridopsis larvaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1921-06-16
UASM9636 - Iridopsis larvaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1929-06-29
UASM9637 - Iridopsis larvaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1943-07-01
UASM9638 - Iridopsis larvaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1943-06-10
UASM9639 - Iridopsis larvaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1921-06-20
UASM9642 - Iridopsis larvaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1921-06-10
UASM9643 - Iridopsis larvaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1918-06-25
UASM9644 - Iridopsis larvaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1943-06-29
UASM9646 - Iridopsis larvaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1944-06-07
UASM9647 - Iridopsis larvaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1920-07-02
UASM9648 - Iridopsis larvaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1947-06-22
UASM9649 - Iridopsis larvaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1919-06-21
UASM9650 - Iridopsis larvaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1920-07-04