Tetracis montanaria

Tetracis montanaria can be distinguished from congeners using the diagnostic key and illustrations of adults and male genitalia provided in Ferris (2010). The species is one of thirteen North American Tetracis species recognized following the synonymization of Synaxis. Specific distinguishing characters from similar montane Tetracis species require reference to the original description and comparative genitalia illustrations.

Restricted to aspen-coniferous forests at elevations between 2,440 and 2,715 meters. The specific forest composition suggests a cool, montane environment with mixed deciduous-coniferous canopy.

Known only from southeastern Arizona, USA. Endemic to a limited geographic range in the southwestern United States.

Adults are on wing in early October, with possible activity in late September. The brief flight period suggests a univoltine life cycle with autumn-emerging adults.

• Tetracis australisDescribed in the same revision (Ferris 2010) as a new species from western North America; likely overlaps in geographic range and requires careful comparison for identification.
• Tetracis pallidataThird new species described alongside T. montanaria in Ferris (2010); morphologically similar and distinguished by genitalia and wing pattern details in the original description.
• Other Tetracis species (formerly Synaxis)Prior to 2010 revision, many species were placed in Synaxis; the synonymization and species key in Ferris (2010) are required to separate T. montanaria from the twelve other recognized North American species.

• geometrid moth
• montane
• endemic
• Arizona
• high elevation
• autumn flight
• recently described
• 2010

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• Catalogue of Life
• Revision of the North American Genera Tetracis Guenée and Synonymization of Synaxis Hulst with Descriptions of Three New Species (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Ennominae)