Hodges#6662
Paleacrita vernata
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Superfamily: Geometroidea
- Family: Geometridae
- Subfamily: Ennominae
- Tribe: Bistonini
- Genus: Paleacrita
- Species: vernata
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Paleacrita vernata: //pæliːˈækrɪtə vɜrˈneɪtə//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Summary
Paleacrita vernata, commonly known as the spring cankerworm, is a moth found across North America, known for its potential to defoliate trees, especially during its larval stage. Adults are active from February to late May, and females are wingless, laying eggs in sheltered locations.
Physical Characteristics
Males have forewings measuring 11–18 mm in length; females are wingless.
Identification Tips
Look for male moths flying from February to late May; female moths can often be found near pupation sites as they are wingless.
Habitat
Found in woodlands and areas with broadleaf trees and shrubs.
Distribution
North America from Nova Scotia to Saskatchewan, Maine to Tennessee and North Carolina; central United States from Michigan to North Dakota, south to Mississippi, Louisiana, and eastern Texas; also recorded in Colorado and Siskiyou County, California.
Diet
Larvae primarily feed on a variety of broadleaf trees and shrubs, especially Acer (maple), Ulmus (elm), Betula (birch), Prunus (plum), and also Quercus (oak).
Life Cycle
Eggs are laid in batches under loose bark or in crevices. Early instar larvae disperse by ballooning on silken threads. Full grown larvae drop from the host to pupate in the soil without making a silken cocoon. They spend the winter as pupae.
Reproduction
Wingless females lay up to 250 eggs in loose bark or crevices; males are attracted to the area for mating.
Ecosystem Role
Larvae can cause significant defoliation of trees, impacting the local ecosystem.
Economic Impact
Homeowners often place sticky bands around tree trunks to trap migrating adult males, indicating an economic impact due to potential tree damage.
Collecting Methods
- Light trapping for adult moths
- Hand collection of larvae
Preservation Methods
- Pinning specimens
- Storing in alcohol
Evolution
First described by William Dandridge Peck in 1795; part of the Geometridae family.
Misconceptions
Often mistaken for other leaf-feeding caterpillars; may be seen as harmful but play a role in the ecosystem.
Tags
- Moths
- Geometridae
- Spring cankerworm
- Paleacrita vernata