Ennomos magnaria

Guenée, [1858]

Maple Spanworm Moth, Notched Wing Moth, Notched-wing Geometer, Notch-wing Moth

A -sized geometrid with distinctive autumn leaf-like . are active from July through early November, with a single per year. The is notable for its notched margins and habits, often resting on buildings during daylight hours.

Ennomos magnaria (20507574308) by Donald Hobern from Copenhagen, Denmark. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.Ennomos magnaria – Maple Spanworm Moth (15334522897) by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.Ennomos magnaria – Maple Spanworm Moth (15334531027) by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ennomos magnaria: /ɛnˈnoʊməs mæɡˈnɛəriə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Appearance

have a wingspan of 43–60 mm. are broad with notched or scalloped outer margins, resembling a dried autumn leaf in shape and coloration—typically - to orange-brown with variable darker markings. The overall cryptic appearance provides effective against fallen foliage.

Distribution

Coast to coast in southern Canada and the northern United States. Eastern range extends south to Florida and Louisiana; western range extends south to California. Canadian records include Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.

Seasonality

active July to early November. One per year.

Diet

feed on leaves of multiple deciduous tree : Alnus (alders), Fraxinus (ashes), Tilia (basswoods/lindens), Betula (birches), Ulmus (elms), Carya (hickories), Acer (maples), Quercus (oaks), and Populus (poplars/cottonwoods).

Life Cycle

(one per year). emerge in mid-summer and remain active through autumn.

Behavior

are . Has been observed resting on buildings during daylight hours.

Human Relevance

Occasionally encountered at -attracting lights at residential locations.

Tags

Sources and further reading