Haematopis is a monotypic moth genus in the family Geometridae erected by Jacob Hübner in 1823. Its only species, Haematopis grataria, the chickweed geometer, was first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1823.[1] It is found throughout the United States. In Canada it is found from Quebec to Alberta, north to the Northwest Territories.

Haematopis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Subfamily: Sterrhinae
Tribe: Timandrini
Genus: Haematopis
Hübner, 1823
Species:
H. grataria
Binomial name
Haematopis grataria
(Fabricius, 1798)
Synonyms
  • Phalaena grataria Fabricius, 1798

The wingspan is 20–25 mm (About 3/4–1 in). Adults are on wing from May to October. It is a day-flying species.

The larvae feed on various low-growing plants, including Stellaria, Polygonum and clover.

Description

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Adults of this species rest with their wings held out flat and to their sides. Their wings are a pale yellow, and their forewings each have a small red or pink spot in the center. Both the forewings and the hindwings each have two pink or red bands, which appear to be continuous across both sets of wings when the moth is in its resting position. Male chickweed geometers have feathered antennae, while females have thinner, thread-like antennae.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Savela, Markku. "Haematopis Hübner, 1823". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  2. ^ "Chickweed Geometer". MDC Discover Nature. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
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