Phigalia plumogeraria

The species can be distinguished from congeners by its specific epithet and taxonomic assignment. Within the genus Phigalia, species are often differentiated by wing pattern, size, and genitalia. Phigalia plumogeraria is one of several Phigalia species that emerge early in spring. Males are winged; females of some related Phigalia species are wingless, though this trait is not confirmed for P. plumogeraria specifically. Accurate identification to species level typically requires examination of genitalia or reference to regional faunal treatments.

North America. Specific range details beyond continental distribution are not documented in available sources.

Adults are active in early spring. This pattern is consistent with other Phigalia species, which are among the earliest geometrid moths to emerge each year.

• walnut - larval hostImplied by common name "walnut spanworm moth," though specific host plant documentation is not confirmed in available sources

Life cycle details are not documented in available sources. Related Phigalia species have one generation per year, with adults emerging in early spring and larvae feeding on host plants.

Adults are attracted to artificial light sources at night. This behavior has been documented through blacklighting observations.

• Phigalia strigatariaSmall Phigalia moth shares nearly identical geographic distribution, temporal distribution, and life history; both are early spring-emerging geometrids in the same genus
• Paleacrita vernataSpring Cankerworm moth shares similar early spring flight period and wingless female trait (in P. vernata), though in a different genus

• Geometridae
• geometer moth
• inchworm moth
• early spring
• North America

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Bug Eric: Blacklighting Already?