chickweed geometer
(Haematopis grataria)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Biology • Distribution • Taxonomy
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Description |
Chickweed geometer is a medium-sized, slender-bodied, diurnal moth. It is common in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, including in Minnesota. The wings are light brownish-yellow (ocher), with pink markings: a broad median band, a weak submarginal band, and a marginal band. The forewing also has a pink discal spot. Both wings have a pink fringe. The cubitus vein (Cu) on the forewing appears to have three branches. The subcostal vein (Sc) on the hindwing is abruptly bent downward at the base. The antennae of the female are thread-like. Those of the male are feather-like, with fine, very long branches (pectinations) on both sides (bipectinate). The caterpillar is called an inchworm. It is small, slender, and highly variable in color. It may be green with white stripes, yellowish-green and light brown, or reddish-brown and mottled. The first abdominal segment is slightly enlarged. There are three pairs of leg-like structures (prolegs) on the thorax, two pairs at the end of the abdomen, and none in between. |
Size |
Total length: X¾″ to X¾″ Wingspan: ¾″ to 1″ |
Similar Species |
No similar species |
Habitat |
Prairie grassland, fields, meadows, lawns, and gardens |
Biology |
Season |
Two or more generations in Minnesota: Late May to mid-September |
Behavior |
Adults fly during the day. They rest with their wings held flat and spread wide. Caterpillars move forward by drawing the hind end of the abdomen up to the thorax forming a loop and then extending the body forward. |
Life Cycle |
The eggs hatch in about seven days. The larvae go through five stages (instars) before reaching maturity in 28 to 30 days. The pupa of the last generation overwinters. |
Larva Hosts |
Chckweed, mouse-ear chickweed, knotweed, smartweed, and clover |
Adult Food |
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Distribution |
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Sources 21, 24, 29, 30, 71, 75, 82, 83. Biodiversity occurrence data published by: Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas (accessed through the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas Portal, bellatlas.umn.edu, 7/8/2025). |
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| 7/18/2025 | ||
Occurrence |
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Common in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains |
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Taxonomy |
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Order |
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Superfamily |
Geometroidea (geometrid and swallowtail moths) |
Family |
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Subfamily |
Sterrhinae (waves and mochas) |
Tribe |
Timandrini |
Genus |
Haematopis |
Subordinate Taxa |
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Synonyms |
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Haematopis saniaria Haematopsis annettearia Pellonia successaria Phalaena grataria |
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Common Names |
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chickweed geometer (larva) chickweed geometer moth (adult) |
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Glossary
Proleg
A fleshy structure on the abdomen of some insect larvae that functions as a leg, but lacks the five segments of a true insect leg.
Visitor Photos |
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Nancy Lundquist |
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Lynda Meyers |
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Alfredo Colon |
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Margot Avey |
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taken in my back yard (St Louis Park, MN) in the afternoon. The antenna is interesting! |
MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Slideshows |
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Other Videos |
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Chickweed Geometer Moth (Geometridae: Haematopis grataria) on Wall |
About
Published on Aug 6, 2011 Photographed on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River north of Red Wing, Minnesota (04 August 2011). Thank you to Maury Heiman (@Bugguide.net) for confirming the identity of this specimen! |
Chickweed Geometer Moth (Geometridae: Haematopis grataria) Dorsal View |
About
Published on Aug 17, 2011 Photographed at Fisher, Minnesota (17 August 2011). Thank you to Maury Heiman (@Bugguide.net) for confirming the identity of this specimen! |
Visitor Sightings |
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Nancy Lundquist |
Location: Thompson County Park, West St. Paul |
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| Lynda Meyers 5/29/2023 |
Location: Riverfront Park, Moorhead MN |
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| Alfredo Colon August 2019 |
Location: Woodbury, Minnesota |
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| Margot Avey 9/5/2018 |
Location: St. Louis Park, MN taken in my back yard (St Louis Park, MN) in the afternoon. The antenna is interesting! |
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| Alfredo Colon 8/31/2018 |
Location: Woodbury, Minnesota |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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Created: 9/9/2018 Last Updated: © MinnesotaSeasons.com. All rights reserved. |