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Scientific Name Xanthotype urticaria Common Name False Crocus Geometer Habitat Mixed and deciduous forest in the southern boreal and parkland region. Seasonality Adults fly in June and July, with peak activity in the latter half of June. Identification

A bright yellow geometrid with a loose PM band of maroon-brown spots, AM band reduced to two or three spots on the forewing; variable maroon speckling overall. Difficult to separate reliably from X. sospeta without…

A bright yellow geometrid with a loose PM band of maroon-brown spots, AM band reduced to two or three spots on the forewing; variable maroon speckling overall. Difficult to separate reliably from X. sospeta without genitalic dissection, see McGuffin (1981). Urticaria is slightly smaller and darker yellow than sospeta, with wider and more extensive maroon markings.

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Adults are nocturnal and come to lights, but are also active during the day and are easily flushed from shrubs in aspen forest understory. Larvae are twig mimics and rest with their body fully extended, like a twig on…

Adults are nocturnal and come to lights, but are also active during the day and are easily flushed from shrubs in aspen forest understory. Larvae are twig mimics and rest with their body fully extended, like a twig on a branch (Wagner et al. 2001). In Alberta, this species is much less common than X. sospeta.

Read More + Conservation Not of concern. Diet Info Larvae are generalist feeders on herbs and low shrubs; reported hosts include Spiraea, Solidago, Rosa, Ribes and Cornus (McGuffin 1981). Range Alberta to Nova Scotia, south to GA and AZ (McGuffin 1981).