common gray

not listed

NNR - Unranked

SNR - Unranked

not listed

Common gray is a common, widespread, medium-sized, typical geometer moth. It occurs throughout the United States, southern Canada, and Mexico. It is common in Minnesota.

The larvae are food generalists (polyphagous). They feed on the leaves of a wide variety of deciduous and coniferous trees and shrubs, and on forbs and grasses. In Minnesota, adults are found from May through September in virtually all wooded and open habitats.

Adults have a ⅞″ to 1⅜″ (23 to 34 mm) wingspan.

The first abdominal segment is white and is bordered above and below with a black line. The upper line is a continuation of the antemedial (AM) line that crosses both the hindwings and the forewings.

The forewings are broad, moderately long, and medium gray to light yellowish gray. They are crossed with black lines and are heavily mottled with dark brown to black shading. The AM line has dark shading above, and it breaks before curving forward near the leading edge (costal margin). The median line is usually broken, diffuse, or both, and it is sometimes indistinct. When visible, it also curves forward at the costal margin. The postmedial (PM) line is wavy and toothed, and it has dark shading below. All three lines are much thicker and bolder near the costal margin. The subterminal (ST) line is scalloped and whitish, and it has dark shading above. It is often indistinct.

The hindwings are similar in color and markings to the forewings.

Wingspan: ⅞″ to 1⅜″ (23 to 34 mm)

All habitats

Two or more generations per year in Minnesota: May to September

Adults are active at night and are attracted to lights. The wings are held flat and spread wide when at rest. The cryptic, bark-like coloration on both sets of wings makes the moth difficult to see when it rests on the trunk or branch of a tree.

Leaves of a wide variety of trees, shrubs, forbs, and grasses

Sources

4, 21, 29, 30, 75, 82, 83.

Common

Location: Albany, NY

Location: Albany, NY