Hypomecis buchholzaria
(Lemmer, 1937)
blue spiderwort moth, Buchholz's gray, Buchholz' Gray
Hypomecis buchholzaria is a geometrid in the Geometridae, first described by Lemmer in 1937. It is commonly known as the blue spiderwort moth or Buchholz's gray. The species is found in North America and has been assigned Hodges number 6438. It belongs to the Ennominae, a diverse group of geometrid moths often referred to as "geometers" or "inchworms" due to their characteristic larval locomotion.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Hypomecis buchholzaria: /ˌhɪpoʊˈmiːsɪs ˌbʌkˈhoʊlzəriə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Distribution
North America
Host Associations
- Tradescantia - larval "blue spiderwort " suggests association with spiderwort plants (Tradescantia), though specific documentation is limited
Similar Taxa
- Hypomecis punctinaliscongeneric in same , may share similar gray coloration and wing patterns; accurate separation requires examination of genitalia or detailed wing markings
- Other Hypomecis species contains multiple gray-colored with subtle pattern differences; -level identification often requires examination
More Details
Hodges Number
This is cataloged under MONA ( of North America) / Hodges number 6438, a standardized numbering system for North American Lepidoptera.
Taxonomic History
Originally described by Lemmer in 1937. The specific epithet 'buchholzaria' likely honors an individual with the surname Buchholz, possibly a collector or colleague of the describer.