Macromoths of Northwest Forests and Woodlands
Eupithecia graefii [Geometridae]
Wingspan 2.3 cm. Forewing is brown with a red-yellow cast and a long narrow black discal spot. This geometrid is common and widely distributed in western North America. Moths fly in summer. Caterpillars feed on the foliage of manzanita (Arctostaphylos) and madrone (Arbutus menziesii).
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. graefii is the most common species reared from foliage of manzanita and madrone.
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