Macromoths of Northwest Forests and Woodlands
Eupithecia misturata [Geometridae]
Wingspan 1.8 cm. Forewing is pale gray with a small black discal spot. This geometrid is very common and widely distributed in western North America. Moths fly in summer. Caterpillars are generalist feeders on the foliage and flowers of flowering trees and shrubs, particularly ocean spray (Holodiscus discolor), manzanita (Arctostaphylos), snowbrush (Ceanothus velutinus), and oak (Quercus).
Similar species: more than 120 species of Eupithecia occur in North America and are very difficult to identify. Typically genitalia must be observed for distinguishing the species. Also, adults reared from field-collected caterpillars with knowledge of host plants can be helpful for accurate identifications; among the species of Eupithecia, E. misturata is one of the smallest and is the most common species reared from caterpillars on flowers. Clemensia albata has different wing markings.
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