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Species Details
Synaxis jubararia
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameOctober Thorn
SeasonalityAdults fly throughout September
IdentificationThe October Thorn is one a several rather large geometrids that fly in the fall and have autumn-leaf colours of ochres and rust-brown. The discal spots are small and black but distinct; wings with a pointed protrusion at mid-margin.
Similar to the extremely variable Prochoerodes transversata, but the PM line joins the wing margin in a straight line, while in transversata it angles sharply near the apex toward the thorax. S. pallulata, which occurs in the Crowsnest Pass region, is very similar, but has heavier crosslines and darker mottling. No structural differences between jubararia and pallulata are known.
Scientific Name
Synaxis jubararia
Common Name
October Thorn
Habitat
Deciduous and mixedwood forests and woodlands.
Seasonality
Adults fly throughout September
Identification
The October Thorn is one a several rather large geometrids that fly in the fall and have autumn-leaf colours of ochres and rust-brown. The discal spots are small and black but distinct; wings with a pointed protrusion…
The October Thorn is one a several rather large geometrids that fly in the fall and have autumn-leaf colours of ochres and rust-brown. The discal spots are small and black but distinct; wings with a pointed protrusion at mid-margin.
Similar to the extremely variable Prochoerodes transversata, but the PM line joins the wing margin in a straight line, while in transversata it angles sharply near the apex toward the thorax. S. pallulata, which occurs in the Crowsnest Pass region, is very similar, but has heavier crosslines and darker mottling. No structural differences between jubararia and pallulata are known.
Life History
The marbled grey-brown larvae have a large dorsal hump on the thorax, and resemble twigs (Ives & Wong 1988). The egg likely overwinters, and adults are nocturnal and come to light.
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
Larvae feed on deciduous shrubs, particularly willows (Salix) and alder (Alnus), also on birch (Betula), poplars (Populus) and dogwood (Cornus (McGuffin 1987).
Range
Essentially a western species, but occurring east to central Saskatchewan, south to CA (McGuffin 1987).
Citation
Page Citation for Synaxis jubararia
Page Citation
"Species Details - Synaxis jubararia, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-4309/9-14982. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
References
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
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 74 specimens of this Species.
UASM7117 - Synaxis jubararia
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Tofield
Collected BySchmidt, B. C.
Date Collected1999-09-14
UASM10276 - Synaxis jubararia
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1943-09-28
UASM10279 - Synaxis jubararia
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1936-09-17
UASM10280 - Synaxis jubararia
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1921-09-25
UASM10281 - Synaxis jubararia
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1920-09-19
UASM10282 - Synaxis jubararia
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1921-09-25
UASM10283 - Synaxis jubararia
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1921-09-25
UASM10284 - Synaxis jubararia
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1921-09-25
UASM10286 - Synaxis jubararia
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1921-09-28
UASM10289 - Synaxis jubararia
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1920-09-21
UASM10291 - Synaxis jubararia
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1921-09-25
UASM10293 - Synaxis jubararia
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1921-09-25
UASM10294 - Synaxis jubararia
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1918-09-20
UASM10295 - Synaxis jubararia
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1933-09-28
UASM10301 - Synaxis jubararia
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1938-09-02
UASM10302 - Synaxis jubararia
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1921-09-25
UASM10303 - Synaxis jubararia
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1939-09-20
UASM10307 - Synaxis jubararia
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1920-09-16
UASM10308 - Synaxis jubararia
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1920-09-19
UASM10309 - Synaxis jubararia
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1950-09-12
UASM10310 - Synaxis jubararia
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1936-09-18