Chlorochlamys chloroleucaria

Distinguished from other small green geometrids by the combination of pale green ground color with fine, darker green linear patterning and relatively small size. The specific epithet 'chloroleucaria' (green-white) refers to the characteristic coloration. Similar species in the genus Chlorochlamys and related emerald moths (such as Nemoria) may require examination of genitalia for definitive identification.

Open habitats including prairies, glades, meadows, and woodland edges. Associated with areas supporting host plants, particularly Rubus species and diverse Asteraceae. Found in both dry and mesic conditions where composite flowers are abundant.

Eastern and central North America: Nova Scotia south to Florida, west through Canada to Manitoba and Saskatchewan, west in the United States to the Rocky Mountains (Wyoming, Colorado), and south into Mexico and the Caribbean. A single 19th-century record from Great Britain (BMNH specimen) is considered an accidental introduction or mislabeling.

Adults active April to November in southern portions of range; May to September in northern portions. At least two generations per year throughout most of range.

Larvae feed on fruit of Rubus species (blackberries, raspberries) and flower heads of numerous Asteraceae including Achillea millefolium, Ambrosia, Aster, Chrysanthemum leucanthemum, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Gutierrezia species, Helenium autumnale, Helianthus, Parthenium hysterophorus, Rudbeckia hirta, Solidago species, Vernonia, Zinnia, Dianthus, Prunus pennsylvanica, Ceanothus, Myrica asplenifolia, and Apocynum androsaemifolium. Also recorded on Silphium terebinthinaceum (prairie dock) and Eriogonum alatum (winged buckwheat, Polygonaceae).

• Rubus - larval food plantfruit
• Silphium terebinthinaceum - larval food plantflower heads
• Eriogonum alatum - larval food plantdocumented host range extension
• Achillea millefolium - larval food plantflower petals
• Helianthus - larval food plantflower petals
• Solidago - larval food plantflower petals
• Rudbeckia hirta - larval food plantflower petals

Complete metamorphosis with multiple generations annually. Eggs laid on host plants. Larvae feed on fruits or flower heads, with distinctive looping locomotion characteristic of geometrid caterpillars. Pupation presumably in soil or leaf litter. Adults emerge and are active during extended flight period.

Larvae exhibit typical geometrid 'looping' or 'inchworm' locomotion due to reduced number of prolegs. Adults nocturnal, attracted to light.

Herbivore feeding on reproductive structures (fruits and flowers) of host plants. May impact seed production in some host species. Serves as prey for various predators and parasitoids.

Minor economic significance; larvae may damage blackberry and raspberry crops by feeding on developing fruits. Otherwise of limited direct importance to humans.

• Chlorochlamys triangularisSimilar small green geometrid in same genus; requires genitalia examination for separation
• Nemoria speciesOther emerald moths with similar green coloration and pattern; distinguished by wing pattern details and structural characters

• Geometridae
• Geometrinae
• emerald moth
• looper
• Rubus
• Asteraceae
• North America
• multivoltine
• flower feeder
• fruit feeder

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Plantae | Beetles In The Bush | Page 7
• Insecta | Beetles In The Bush | Page 8
• Lepidoptera | Beetles In The Bush | Page 4
• Host Range Extension for <i>Chlorochlamys Chloroleucaria</i> (Geometrinae, Geometridae) to Include <i>Eriogonum Alatum</i> (Polygonaceae)