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Species Details
Nematocampa resistaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameBordered Thorn, Filament Bearer
SeasonalityPeak flight activity in Alberta is from late July to early August.
IdentificationA small, tan geometrid with an intricate pattern of maroon lines, bands and venation. Forewing apex slightly falcate. This species is immediately recognizable; there are no other species like it in Alberta.
Scientific Name
Nematocampa resistaria
Common Name
Bordered Thorn, Filament Bearer
Habitat
Deciduous and mixedwood forests and woodlands.
Seasonality
Peak flight activity in Alberta is from late July to early August.
Identification
A small, tan geometrid with an intricate pattern of maroon lines, bands and venation. Forewing apex slightly falcate. This species is immediately recognizable; there are no other species like it in Alberta.
Life History
The common name Filament Bearer stems from the bizarre caterpillar of this species, which is able to evert two pairs of long tentacle-like structures dorsally on the abdomen (See Ives & Wong 1988, Wagner et al. 2001).…
The common name Filament Bearer stems from the bizarre caterpillar of this species, which is able to evert two pairs of long tentacle-like structures dorsally on the abdomen (See Ives & Wong 1988, Wagner et al. 2001). The function of these structures is unknown, but perhaps is meant to mimic dead, dried flower parts or plant debris. Pupation occurs within a cocoon among plant foliage, and the egg hibernates (McGuffin 1987).
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
Larvae are generalists on both deciduous and coniferous trees and shrubs. Often occurs on Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga), hemlock (Tsuga), fir (Abies), spruce (Picea), willow (Salix), white birch (Betula papyrifera),…
Larvae are generalists on both deciduous and coniferous trees and shrubs. Often occurs on Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga), hemlock (Tsuga), fir (Abies), spruce (Picea), willow (Salix), white birch (Betula papyrifera), hazelnut (Corylus); also low-growing plants such as strawberry (Fragaria) and carrot (Daucus) (McGuffin 1987).
Range
BC to Nova Scotia, south to FL and CA (McGuffin 1987).
Citation
Page Citation for Nematocampa resistaria
Page Citation
"Species Details - Nematocampa resistaria, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-6084/9-15079. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
References
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
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 64 specimens of this Species.
BIRD17510 - Nematocampa resistaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Stettler
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2006-07-13
BIRD17511 - Nematocampa resistaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rimbey
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2006-07-21
BIRD17512 - Nematocampa resistaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rimbey
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2006-07-22
BIRD20558 - Nematocampa resistaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2007-07-18
BIRD20559 - Nematocampa resistaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2007-07-21
UASM99480 - Nematocampa resistaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pakowki Lake
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2008-08-10
BIRD21845 - Nematocampa resistaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Big Knife Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2008-07-25
BIRD21846 - Nematocampa resistaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Big Knife Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2008-07-25
BIRD21847 - Nematocampa resistaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2008-08-04
BIRD21848 - Nematocampa resistaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Buffalo Lake Conservation Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2008-08-10
BIRD21849 - Nematocampa resistaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Medicine Lake Recreation Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2008-08-15
BIRD21850 - Nematocampa resistaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Medicine Lake Recreation Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2008-08-15
UASM110895 - Nematocampa resistaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pakowki Lake
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2008-08-10
UASM110913 - Nematocampa resistaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pakowki Lake
Collected ByAnweiler, G. G.
Date Collected2008-08-10
BIRD31292 - Nematocampa resistaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rochon Sands Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2009-07-26
BIRD31293 - Nematocampa resistaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rochon Sands Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2009-07-26
BIRD33575 - Nematocampa resistaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2010-08-10
BIRD35015 - Nematocampa resistaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2011-08-02
BIRD35016 - Nematocampa resistaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2011-08-20
BIRD35807 - Nematocampa resistaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2012-07-21
BIRD36703 - Nematocampa resistaria
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Winfield
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2013-08-10