Metarranthis moths
(Metarranthis spp.)
Overview • Description • Distribution • Taxonomy
Overview
Metarranthis is a genus of typical geometer moths. It occurs in the United States east of the Great Plains and across southern Canada. There are records of the genus in the west but these are few and widely scattered. There are 13 Metarranthis species worldwide, all in North America north of Mexico. There are at least 4 species in Minnesota.
Most Metarranthis moths adults found in late spring and early summer in deciduous woodlands and forests. Theyu feed on flower nectar. The larvae feed on the leaves of deciduous trees and shrubs.
Description
Adults have a wingspan of 1″ to 1 11⁄16″ (26 to 43 mm). The forewings are broad and distinctly pointed at the tip. Identification to species is difficult due to variations in size, color, and wing markings.
Distribution |
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Sources Biodiversity occurrence data published by: Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas (accessed through the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas Portal, bellatlas.umn.edu, 10/23/2025). |
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| 10/23/2025 | ||
Occurrence |
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Taxonomy
Order
Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths)
Superfamily
Geometroidea (geometrid and swallowtail moths)
Family
Subfamily
Ennominae (typical geometers)
Tribe
Anagogini
Subordinate Taxa
angled metarranthis moth (Metarranthis angularia) 
common metarranthis moth (Metarranthis hypochraria) 
dingy metarranthis moth moth (Metarranthis apiciaria)
metarranthis moth (Metarranthis amyrisaria)
metarranthis moth (Metarranthis mollicularia)
metarranthis moth (Metarranthis pilosaria)
pale metarranthis moth (Metarranthis indeclinata)
purplish metarranthis moth (Metarranthis homuraria)
refracted metarranthis moth (Metarranthis refractaria)
ruddy metarranthis moth (Metarranthis duaria)
southern metarranthis moth (Metarranthis lateritiaria)
Warner’s metarranthis moth (Metarranthis warneri)
yellow-washed metarranthis moth (Metarranthis obfirmaria)
Synonyms
Common Names
This genus has no common. However, every species in the genus that has a common name includes “metarranthis“ or “metarranthis moth“ in the common name, and that name is applied here for convenience.
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Luciearl |
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If I had not seen this flutter to the ground, I would've mistaken it for a piece of red pine bark. |
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Slideshows
Metarranthis complex 6823/25
Andree Reno Sanborn
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Luciearl
6/8/2020
Location: Cass County
If I had not seen this flutter to the ground, I would've mistaken it for a piece of red pine bark.
MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings
