Synchlora aerata, the wavy-lined emerald moth or camouflaged looper, is a species of moth of the family Geometridae. The species was described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1798.[2][3] It is found in the United States and Canada.[1][4]
| Synchlora aerata | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Geometridae |
| Genus: | Synchlora |
| Species: | S. aerata
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| Binomial name | |
| Synchlora aerata (Fabricius, 1798)
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| Synonyms | |
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The wingspan is about 17 mm.[4]
The larvae are loopers (inchworms) like the rest in the family. They feed on composite flowers, shrubs, and trees.[5] Recorded food plants include Aster, Rudbeckia, Liatris, Solidago, Artemisia, Achillea and Rubus species. The species overwinters as a partially grown larva.
The caterpillars employ the unusual behavior of affixing bits of the plant tissue on which they are feeding to the several large spines on their back. This provides cover from gleaning birds that rely on keen eyesight. The camouflage can also block smaller animals from sensing them.
Subspecies
edit- Synchlora aerata aerata (Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Arkansas, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, southern Ontario, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Maryland)
- Synchlora aerata albolineata Packard, 1873 (from Newfoundland to Alberta and south to Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, Maine, New England, Massachusetts, northern Connecticut. It is also found in southern Manitoba)
- Synchlora aerata liquoraria Guenée, 1857 (from California, Arizona and New Mexico to British Columbia and Alberta. It is also found in South Dakota)
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Caterpillar with plant pieces as camouflage -
Pupa with part of its cocoon made of plant pieces as camouflage
References
edit- ^ a b NatureServe (2 June 2023). "Synchlora aerata". NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
- ^ Savela, Markku. "Synchlora aerata (Fabricius, 1798)". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
- ^ "910639.00 – 7058 – Synchlora aerata – Wavy-lined Emerald Moth – (Fabricius, 1798)". North American Moth Photographers Group. Mississippi State University. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
- ^ a b Schmidt, B.C. (18 August 2003). "Species Details Synchlora aerata". University of Alberta Museums. E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
- ^ Rose, Joshua Stuart (April 22, 2019). "Species Synchlora aerata - Wavy-lined Emerald - Hodges#7058". BugGuide. Retrieved April 23, 2019.