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Digital Guide to Moth Identification

Geometridae 91a1461 – 7010   Nematocampa resistaria (Herrich-Schäffer, [1856])              Horned Spanworm

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Larva and Host Plants: Host familiy: Apiaceae Betulaceae Bignoniaceae Cannabaceae Cornaceae Crassulaceae Cupressaceae Ericaceae Fabaceae Fagaceae Grossulariaceae Juglandaceae Lamiaceae Malvaceae[Tiliaceae] Myricaceae Oleaceae Onagraceae ..  Host genera: Abies Acer Aesculus Alnus Amelanchier Arctostaphylos Betula Carya Castanea Catalpa Ceanothus Cornus Corylus Crataegus Daucus Fragaria Fraxinus Humulus Larix Ludwigia Malus Mentha Myrica[unresolved] Os...  Notes: wide variety of broad-leaved & coniferous trees, shrubs & herbaceous plants (Powell & Opler 2009); Many hardwoods, softwood & low-growing plants (Wagner 2005).  (Shropshire & Douglas 2025) Similar Species: Pinned specimens of related species. (Hint: select View by Region on the related species page.) Synonymy: resistaria (Herrich-Schäffer, [1856]) (Microgonia) - MONA 1983: [NEW] brunneolineata (Hulst, [1901] 1900) (Eugonobapta) chagnoni (Swett, 1913) (Ania) expunctaria Grote, 1872 (Nematocampa) - MONA 1983: [7010] filamentaria Guenée, 1857 (Nematocampa) limbata (Haworth, 1809) (Phalaena) preocc. - MONA 1983: [7009] orfordensis Cassino & Swett, 1922 (Nematocampa) Taxonomic Notes: Nematocampa resistaria (Herrich-Schäffer, [1856]), a replacement name for Phalaena limbata Haworth, 1809 (preoccupied), includes as a synonym Nematocampa expunctaria Grote, 1872 (Ferguson 1993).

References (Caution: DNA barcoding at BOLD provides evidence of relatedness, not proof of identification; some BOLD specimens shown may not be sequenced.)

Barcode of Life (BOLD) - Caution: Identifications often erroneous; DNA barcode provides evidence of relatedness, not proof of identification; many specimens not sequenced. Ferguson, D. C., 2008. Moths of America North of Mexico, Fascicle 17.2: p. 29; pl. 1.4-7. order or free PDF Ferguson, D.C., 1993. A revision of the species of Nematocampa (Geometridae: Ennominae) occurring in the United States and Canada. Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society, 47: 60-77. Hall et al., 2021. The Moths of North Carolina - website (identification, habitats and life history) Hulst, G.D., 1900. New species of Lepidoptera. Journal of the New York Entomological Society, 8(4): 218. Powell, J. A. & P. A. Opler, 2009. Moths of Western North America, Pl. 31.7m; p. 220. Book Review and ordering Shropshire, K.J. & D.W. Tallamy, 2025. Lepidoptera of North America, north of Mexico: an annotated list containing geographic ranges and host-plant records. ZooKeys, 1261: 101-113; Suppl. 1. (PDF or read online) Species Page at Block Island Moths Species Page at BugGuide.Net Species Page at E. H. Strickland Museum Species Page at Mass Moths Species Page at iNaturalist

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