Common NameWestern False Hemlock LooperSeasonalityAdults emerge in autumn and fly from August to October (McGuffin 1987IdentificationWings grey-white, heavily dusted with dark grey, median area slightly darker and bordered with scalloped, prominent AM and PM lines. Discal spots large. Slightly darker and smaller than Cingilia caternaria.
N. freemani lacks the yellow scales at the top of the head of N. canosaria; the ranges of the two do not overlap, with freemani strictly a foothills/mountain species in Alberta.
Scientific NameNepytia freemaniCommon Name
Western False Hemlock Looper
Habitat
Montane coniferous forest.
Seasonality
Adults emerge in autumn and fly from August to October (McGuffin 1987
Identification
Wings grey-white, heavily dusted with dark grey, median area slightly darker and bordered with scalloped, prominent AM and PM lines. Discal spots large. Slightly darker and smaller than Cingilia caternaria.
N.…
Wings grey-white, heavily dusted with dark grey, median area slightly darker and bordered with scalloped, prominent AM and PM lines. Discal spots large. Slightly darker and smaller than Cingilia caternaria.
N. freemani lacks the yellow scales at the top of the head of N. canosaria; the ranges of the two do not overlap, with freemani strictly a foothills/mountain species in Alberta.
Life History
The larvae are tan and rust coloured, with cream lateral stripes; they are occasionally abundant enough to cause visible defoliation of conifers in BC (Duncan 2003). Eggs are laid singly or in small groups on the host…
The larvae are tan and rust coloured, with cream lateral stripes; they are occasionally abundant enough to cause visible defoliation of conifers in BC (Duncan 2003). Eggs are laid singly or in small groups on the host needles, where they overwinter. Larvae are illustrated in Ives & Wong (1988) and Duncan (2003), and all immature stages are illustrated by Klein and Minnoch (1971). Adults are nocturnal.
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
The principal larval host is Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), rarely other conifers (McGuffin 1987).
Range
Southern BC and extreme southwestern Alberta south to WA, ID, MT and UT (McGuffin 1987, Duncan 2003).
Citation
Page Citation for Nepytia freemani
Page Citation
"Species Details - Nepytia freemani, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-4463. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
Authorship
NameSchmidt, B. C.
Rolespecies page author
Date2003-08-01
References
AuthorDuncan, R. W.
TitleConifer Defoliating Insects of British Columbia - Western Hemlock Looper
Publication Date2003
AuthorMcGuffin, W. C.
TitleGuide to the Geometridae of Canada (Lepidoptera): II. Subfamily Ennominae, 4
Publication Date1987
Series TitleMemoirs of the Entomological Society of Canada
Volume138
Pages182
Specimen Information
There are 2 specimens of this Species.
2 results plotted on map in 1 marker. Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.