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Species Details
Pero morrisonaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameMorrison's Pero
SeasonalityLate may to mid July, most adults flying in mid to late June.
IdentificationThe robust body and dissimilar fore- and hindwing pattern of Pero species are more reminiscent of noctuids than geometrids.
Forewing light grey-brown with a broad wavy dark brown median band, shading to tan brown medially especially near the costa. Discal spot white. Hindwing light grey with a pale bordered, dark median line and a row of small black terminal dots. Wing margins slightly serrate.
Very similar to P. honestaria, with which it occurs in the central parts of the province. More dark speckling overall than P. morrisonaria, and the forewing median band with a more pronounced paler area near the costal margin. The outer margin of the forewing median band has a tooth-like indent near the anal margin (at the anal vein), while honestaria has a straight median band outer edge. In the southern mountains where several Pero species may occur it is best to confirm identification through genitalic morphology (see McGuffin 1987).
Scientific Name
Pero morrisonaria
Common Name
Morrison's Pero
Habitat
Widespread in most forested habitats, particularly the southern boreal and aspen parkland.
Seasonality
Late may to mid July, most adults flying in mid to late June.
Identification
The robust body and dissimilar fore- and hindwing pattern of Pero species are more reminiscent of noctuids than geometrids.
Forewing light grey-brown with a broad wavy dark brown median band, shading to tan brown…
The robust body and dissimilar fore- and hindwing pattern of Pero species are more reminiscent of noctuids than geometrids.
Forewing light grey-brown with a broad wavy dark brown median band, shading to tan brown medially especially near the costa. Discal spot white. Hindwing light grey with a pale bordered, dark median line and a row of small black terminal dots. Wing margins slightly serrate.
Very similar to P. honestaria, with which it occurs in the central parts of the province. More dark speckling overall than P. morrisonaria, and the forewing median band with a more pronounced paler area near the costal margin. The outer margin of the forewing median band has a tooth-like indent near the anal margin (at the anal vein), while honestaria has a straight median band outer edge. In the southern mountains where several Pero species may occur it is best to confirm identification through genitalic morphology (see McGuffin 1987).
Life History
This is the most widespread and often the most common Pero in Alberta. The larva, like most ennomine geometrids, is a twig mimic. The pupa overwinters (McGuffin 1987). Adults are nocturnal and come to lights.
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
Larvae are predominantly conifer feeders, especially balsam fir (Abies) and white spruce (Picea), but have also occasionally been recorded from willow (Salix), alder (Alnus), and aspen (Populus(Prentice 1963).
Larvae are predominantly conifer feeders, especially balsam fir (Abies) and white spruce (Picea), but have also occasionally been recorded from willow (Salix), alder (Alnus), and aspen (Populus(Prentice 1963).
Range
Coastal BC east to Nova Scotia, south to WA and Ga (McGuffin 1987, Wagner et al. 2001).
Citation
Page Citation for Pero morrisonaria
Page Citation
"Species Details - Pero morrisonaria, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-4471/9-56426. Accessed 14 Nov. 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
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
Specimen Information
There are 148 specimens of this Species.
UASM187594 - Pero morrisonaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Beaver Mines Lake
Collected ByPike, T.
Date Collected1993-07-14
UASM187595 - Pero morrisonaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Beaver Mines Lake
Collected ByPike, T.
Date Collected2002-07-28
BIRD33538 - Pero morrisonaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2010-06-12
BIRD33539 - Pero morrisonaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, J.J. Collett Natural Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2010-06-18
BIRD33540 - Pero morrisonaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Medicine Lake Recreation Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2010-06-27
BIRD33541 - Pero morrisonaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Medicine Lake Recreation Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2010-06-27
BIRD34995 - Pero morrisonaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2011-06-22
BIRD34996 - Pero morrisonaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2011-06-27
BIRD34997 - Pero morrisonaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Medicine Lake Provincial Recreation Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2011-07-04
BIRD35845 - Pero morrisonaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2012-06-20
BIRD35846 - Pero morrisonaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2012-06-23
BIRD35847 - Pero morrisonaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2012-06-28
BIRD35848 - Pero morrisonaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2012-07-06
BIRD36659 - Pero morrisonaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2013-06-17
BIRD36660 - Pero morrisonaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rimbey
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2013-06-23
BIRD36661 - Pero morrisonaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2013-06-29
BIRD36662 - Pero morrisonaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2013-07-09
BIRD37429 - Pero morrisonaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2014-06-22
BIRD37430 - Pero morrisonaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2014-06-27
POHL-13-00765 - Pero morrisonaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pinhorn Provincial Grazing Area
Collected ByPohl, G. R.
Date Collected1996-06-14
POHL-13-00766 - Pero morrisonaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lac La Biche
Collected ByPohl, G. R.
Date Collected1994-07-12