Species Details
Metanema inatomaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameYellow-lined Thorn, Pale Metanema
SeasonalityLate May to mid July, most common in June
IdentificationWings even grey (sometimes with slight dark speckling), and two straight, yellow-tan transverse lines on the forewing. Prominent black forewing discal spot, dark crescent along forewing margin near the apex, with a yellow border. Likely only to be confused with M. determinate, which has a contrasting dark band between the two forewing transverse lines, and has yellow scales within the dark discal spot (determinate has an all-black discal spot).
Scientific Name
Metanema inatomaria
Common Name
Yellow-lined Thorn, Pale Metanema
Habitat
Deciduous and mixedwood forests and woodlands.
Seasonality
Late May to mid July, most common in June
Identification
Wings even grey (sometimes with slight dark speckling), and two straight, yellow-tan transverse lines on the forewing. Prominent black forewing discal spot, dark crescent along forewing margin near the apex, with a…
Wings even grey (sometimes with slight dark speckling), and two straight, yellow-tan transverse lines on the forewing. Prominent black forewing discal spot, dark crescent along forewing margin near the apex, with a yellow border. Likely only to be confused with M. determinate, which has a contrasting dark band between the two forewing transverse lines, and has yellow scales within the dark discal spot (determinate has an all-black discal spot).
Life History
The mottled grey and slightly flattened larva blends in well with tree bark. The winter is spent in the pupal stage, the larva cocooning in a bark crevice (Wagner et al 2001). Adults fly up when disturbed during the…
The mottled grey and slightly flattened larva blends in well with tree bark. The winter is spent in the pupal stage, the larva cocooning in a bark crevice (Wagner et al 2001). Adults fly up when disturbed during the day, and also come to light at night.
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
The preferred hosts are poplars (Populus spp.), and occasionally willows (Salix spp.). Coniferous hosts as indicated by several larval collections are likely in error and require confirmation (Prentice 1963).
Range
East-central BC and southern NWT / YT east to Nova Scotia, south to MS, TX, and AZ (McGuffin 1987, Wagner et al. 2001).
Citation
Page Citation for Metanema inatomaria
Page Citation
"Species Details - Metanema inatomaria, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-4317. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.
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
Specimen Information
There are 77 specimens of this Species.
BIRD3594 - Metanema inatomaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2003-06-14
BIRD3595 - Metanema inatomaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2003-06-30
BIRD6939 - Metanema inatomaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2004-06-01
BIRD6940 - Metanema inatomaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rochon Sands Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2004-06-27
BIRD6941 - Metanema inatomaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, J.J. Collett Natural Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2004-07-06
BIRD6942 - Metanema inatomaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2004-07-21
UASM78518 - Metanema inatomaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, Gardiner Lakes
Collected ByMacaulay, D. A.; Macaulay, S. H.
Date Collected2004-07-14
UASM57550 - Metanema inatomaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2005-06-29
BIRD16392 - Metanema inatomaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rochon Sands Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2005-05-31
BIRD16393 - Metanema inatomaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2005-06-10
BIRD16394 - Metanema inatomaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2005-07-01
UASM59068 - Metanema inatomaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Waterton National Park
Collected ByPohl, G. R.
Date Collected2005-07-10
BIRD17429 - Metanema inatomaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Big Knife Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2006-05-26
BIRD17430 - Metanema inatomaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rochon Sands Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2006-06-07
BIRD17431 - Metanema inatomaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Stettler
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2006-06-24
BIRD20524 - Metanema inatomaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2007-06-15
BIRD20525 - Metanema inatomaria
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
BIRD21817 - Metanema inatomaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2008-06-20
BIRD31254 - Metanema inatomaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2009-06-20
BIRD31255 - Metanema inatomaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rimbey
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2009-07-11
BIRD31256 - Metanema inatomaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rimbey
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2009-07-12