(Orthonama obstipata)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Biology • Distribution • Taxonomy
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Hodges # | 7414 |
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Conservation Status |
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IUCN Red List | not listed |
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NatureServe | NNR - Unranked SNR - Unranked |
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Minnesota | not listed |
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Description |
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Gem moth is a common and widespread carpet moth. It occurs worldwide but is most common in Europe and North America. In the United States it occurs east of the Great Plains and West of the Rocky Mountains but is mostly absent in between. It is common in Minnesota. it is found in a wide variety of open and forested areas. Adults are small, with a wingspan of just ⅝″ to ⅞″ (15 to 23 mm). Male forewings are light brown to pale tan with a pattern of closely spaced, wavy, whitish and brownish lines. There is a blackish, broad but broken band across the median area. The postmedial line is dark and curves distinctly inward near the leading edge of the forewing (costal margin). The discal spot is blackish with a ghostly pale outline that may be indistinct or missing. There is an oblique, blackish dash in the apical area of each forewing. The hindwing is similarly marked with wavy lines and a blackish median band. The female is darker, reddish brown, with a less distinct wavy pattern, an unbroken median band, rows of small white spots, and a black discal spot boldly outlined with white. |
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Size |
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Wingspan: ⅝″ to ⅞″ (15 to 23 mm) |
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Similar Species |
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Habitat |
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A wide variety of open and forested areas |
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Biology |
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Season |
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Two or more generations per year |
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Behavior |
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Life Cycle |
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Adults do not survive the cold temperatures of winter, and larvae do not overwinter. Minnesota is recolonized every spring by individuals migrating from farther south. |
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Larva Hosts |
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A wide variety of herbaceous plants |
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Adult Food |
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Distribution |
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Sources |
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6/9/2022 | ||||
Occurrence |
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Common and widespread |
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Taxonomy |
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Order |
Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) | ||
Superfamily |
Geometroidea (geometrid and swallowtail moths) | ||
Family |
Geometridae (geometer moths) | ||
Subfamily |
Larentiinae (carpet moths) | ||
Tribe |
Xanthorhoini | ||
Genus |
Orthonama | ||
Females and males differ in their wing markings. There is also some genetic (phenotypic) variation, where a trait may be expressed in one generation but not the next. For these reasons, this moth was described as a new species many times by many different authors between 1794 and 1908. |
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Synonyms |
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Camptogramma baccata Camptogramma exagitata Camptogramma signataria Cidaria peracutata Cidaria plemyrata Coremia obruptata Coremia pigrata Geometra fluviata Geometra fuviatalapsus Geometra gemmata Larentia gemmaria Larentia quaerendaria Nycterocea brunneipennis Nycterocea obstipatalapsus Nycterosea obstipata Ochyria discata Ochyria inconspicua Orthonama albicinctata Orthonama alternata Orthonama angustata Orthonama baccata Orthonama brunneipennis Orthonama exagitata Orthonama fluviata Orthonama gemmaria Orthonama gemmata Orthonama intrusata Orthonama lapillata Orthonama marginata Orthonama mortuaria Orthonama obruptata Orthonama obsoleta Orthonama obstipatumlapsus Orthonama olivacea Orthonama peracutata Orthonama pigrata Orthonama signataria Phalaena albicinctata Phalaena angustata Phalaena obstipata |
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Common Names |
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gem moth |
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Glossary
Costal margin
The leading edge of the forewing of insects.
Postmedial (PM) line
A thin line separating the median area and the postmedial area of the forewing of Lepidoptera.
Visitor Photos |
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Mike Poeppe |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Slideshows |
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Visitor Videos |
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Other Videos |
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The Gem Moth (Geometridae: Orthonama obstipata) Female on Wall Carl Barrentine |
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About
Jul 22, 2010 Photographed near Fisher, Minnesota (21 July 2010). Thank you to Maury J. Heiman (@ Bugguide.net) for determining the identity and sex of this specimen! |
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The Gem Moth (Geometridae: Orthonama obstipata) Dorsal View Carl Barrentine |
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About
Oct 13, 2011 Photographed at Grand Forks, North Dakota (09 October 2011). Thank you to Dick Wilson (@Bugguide.net) for confirming the identity of this specimen! |
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Created: 6/9/2022
Last Updated: