Species Details
Prochoerodes lineola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameLarge Maple Spanworm
SeasonalityLate July into September in Alberta; peak flight in early August.
IdentificationA large ochre or yellowish fall-flying geometrid. Extremely variable markings and colouration, to the point where barely two individuals are alike. Ranges from pale tan and almost completely unmarked to ochre with heavy transverse lines and extensive dark mottling. Despite this variability, lineola can be separated from similar species by the PM line, which forms a sharp point near the forewing apex. In other species (Synaxis jubararia, Synaxis pallulata and Tetracis sp.), the PM line is straight near the wing apex.
Scientific Name
Prochoerodes lineola
Common Name
Large Maple Spanworm
Habitat
Mixedwood and deciduous forests and woodlands.
Seasonality
Late July into September in Alberta; peak flight in early August.
Identification
A large ochre or yellowish fall-flying geometrid. Extremely variable markings and colouration, to the point where barely two individuals are alike. Ranges from pale tan and almost completely unmarked to ochre with…
A large ochre or yellowish fall-flying geometrid. Extremely variable markings and colouration, to the point where barely two individuals are alike. Ranges from pale tan and almost completely unmarked to ochre with heavy transverse lines and extensive dark mottling. Despite this variability, lineola can be separated from similar species by the PM line, which forms a sharp point near the forewing apex. In other species (Synaxis jubararia, Synaxis pallulata and Tetracis sp.), the PM line is straight near the wing apex.
Life History
Much like the adult, larvae are extremely variable in colouration, and mimic twigs. Adults are nocturnal and come to light (McGuffin 1987).
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
Larvae are polyphagous on deciduous and coniferous trees and shrubs. Favoured hosts include trembling aspen (Populus), balsam fir (Abies), white birch (Betula), willow (Salix) and balsam poplar (Populus) (Prentice 1963).
Larvae are polyphagous on deciduous and coniferous trees and shrubs. Favoured hosts include trembling aspen (Populus), balsam fir (Abies), white birch (Betula), willow (Salix) and balsam poplar (Populus) (Prentice 1963).
Range
Widespread throughout the eastern half of the continent, north and west to Alberta and south to FL (McGuffin 1987).
Notes
Synonym: Prochoerodes transversata (Drury)
Citation
Page Citation for Prochoerodes lineola
Page Citation
"Species Details - Prochoerodes lineola, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-4487. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
References
Author
Prentice, R. M.
Title
Forest Lepidoptera of Canada. (1963)
Publication Date
1963
Volume
3
Pages
281
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 118 specimens of this Species.
UASM10342 - Prochoerodes lineola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1918-08-01
UASM7119 - Prochoerodes lineola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Tofield
Collected BySchmidt, B. C.
Date Collected1999-08-04
UASM10327 - Prochoerodes lineola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1918-08-04
UASM10329 - Prochoerodes lineola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1924-08-10
UASM10333 - Prochoerodes lineola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Medicine Hat
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1943-08-05
UASM10334 - Prochoerodes lineola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Medicine Hat
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1943-08-15
UASM10335 - Prochoerodes lineola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1917-08-10
UASM10336 - Prochoerodes lineola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1917-08-01
UASM10338 - Prochoerodes lineola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1944-07-22
UASM10339 - Prochoerodes lineola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1920-07-31
UASM10340 - Prochoerodes lineola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1919-07-30
UASM10341 - Prochoerodes lineola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1917-07-24
UASM10343 - Prochoerodes lineola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1917-08-10
UASM10344 - Prochoerodes lineola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1933-08-16
UASM10345 - Prochoerodes lineola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1917-08-10
UASM10353 - Prochoerodes lineola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1940-09-05
UASM10354 - Prochoerodes lineola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1920-08-08
UASM10357 - Prochoerodes lineola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1917-08-18
UASM10361 - Prochoerodes lineola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1933-09-09
UASM10365 - Prochoerodes lineola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1919-07-28
UASM10367 - Prochoerodes lineola
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1929-08-29