Malacodea

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Geometroidea
Family: Geometridae
Subfamily: Larentiinae
Tribe: Operophterini
Genus: Malacodea

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Malacodea: /mæləˈkoʊdiə/

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Images

Malacodea pulchraria f by Jeremy deWaard, University of British Columbia. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Summary

Malacodea is a monotypic genus in the family Geometridae, with only one species, Malacodea regelaria, described in 1869. It is found in northern regions and has a specific association with Picea abies.

Physical Characteristics

Wingspan of 25–31 mm for males; females are wingless.

Identification Tips

Males can be identified by their wingspan and the presence of wings, while females are identified by being wingless.

Habitat

Found in forested areas, particularly where Picea abies is present.

Distribution

From Fennoscandia and Estonia to northern Siberia.

Diet

Larvae feed on Picea abies.

Life Cycle

The species has one generation per year with adults on wing from April to May; larvae found in July; overwinter as a pupa.

Reproduction

Monotypic genus with a single species, Malacodea regelaria.