Operophtera danbyi
(Hulst, 1896)
Operophtera danbyi is a of geometrid in the Geometridae, described by George Duryea Hulst in 1896. It is one of three recognized North American species in the Operophtera, alongside O. brumata and O. bruceata. The species is to North America and has been recorded in iNaturalist with over 300 observations. Its MONA (Moths of North America) or Hodges number is 7439.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Operophtera danbyi: /ˌoʊpəˈrɒftərə ˈdænbi/
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Identification
Operophtera danbyi can be distinguished from the congeneric North American O. brumata and O. bruceata using morphological characters. Unlike O. bruceata, which typically displays a discal dot on the hindwing surface, O. brumata lacks this dot. O. brumata exhibits reddish-brown forewing coloration compared to the grey-brown or light brown forewings of O. bruceata. The specific diagnostic characters for O. danbyi are not detailed in the available sources, but the revision provides illustrations and comparative characters for all three North American species.
Images
Distribution
North America. The is to this region with confirmed presence records from GBIF and iNaturalist observations.
Similar Taxa
- Operophtera brumataShares the same and occurs in North America; distinguished by reddish-brown forewing color, absence of hindwing discal dot, and brown (not golden-brown) and forewing surface
- Operophtera bruceataShares the same and occurs in North America; distinguished by grey-brown or light brown forewings, presence of hindwing discal dot on surface, and golden-brown to brown and forewing surface
More Details
Taxonomic History
Originally described as Paraptera danbyi by Hulst in 1896, later transferred to Operophtera. The was included in a comprehensive revision of North American Operophtera published in The Canadian Entomologist.
Cataloging Information
Assigned MONA/Hodges number 7439 for North American identification systems.