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Digital Guide to Moth Identification

Geometridae
91a1398 – 6918   Eucaterva variaria Grote, 1882
© Charles Melton © Jim Eckert
Distribution: Southern CA to west TX.
Larva and
Host Plants:
Desert willow, Cliilopsis linearis Sweet.
Description/
Field Marks:
Wingspan 32-36 mm; males with thorax black, forewings with visible transverse lines and discal spot (Cassino & Swett, 1922).
"The males are white, thickly sprinkled with blackish, with straight outer and curved inner thick mesial lines and discal dot." (Grote, 1882).
Similar Species:
  • Eucaterva bonniwelli Cassino & Swett, 1922 cannot be separated with confidence at present and may not be a distinct species. DNA barcode evidence provides only weak support and it is unclear if the original description and illustration of genitalia hold up to scrutiny (Steve Nanz, pers. comm., Feb, 2023).
  • Pinned specimens of related species. (Hint: select View by Region on the related species page.)
Synonymy:
  • variaria Grote 1882 (Eucaterva) - MONA 1983: 6918; Type locality: Tucson, AZ
  • labesaria Grote 1882 (Eucaterva)
  • lymax Druce 1898 (Bryoptera)
  • References
    • Barcode of Life (BOLD) - Caution: DNA barcode provides evidence of relatedness, not proof of identification, and some BOLD specimens shown may not be sequenced.
    • Cassino, S.E. & L.W. Swett, 1922. Some new geometrids. The Lepidopterist, 3(7): 148 (bonniwelli).
    • Comstock, J.A. & C.M. Dammers, 1932. The metamorphoses of six California Lepidoptera. Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences, 31(3): 98.
    • Grote, A.R., 1882. Two new geometrids from Mr. Neumoegen's collection. Papilio, 2(5): 80-81.
    • Powell, J. A. & P. A. Opler, 2009. Moths of Western North America, Pl. 30.20m; p. 218. Book Review and ordering
    • Species Page at BugGuide.Net
    Eucaterva variaria
    © Robert Pearson
    Eucaterva variaria
    © Arlene Ripley
    Eucaterva variaria
    © Bob Barber
    Eucaterva variaria
    © Arlene Ripley
    Eucaterva variaria
    © Charles Melton
    Eucaterva variaria
    © Charles Melton
    Eucaterva variaria
    © Robert Pearson
    Eucaterva variaria
    29mm – © Chris Grinter
    Eucaterva variaria
    © Jeff Smith
    Eucaterva variaria
    © Jeff Smith
    Eucaterva variaria
    30mm – © Jim Vargo
    Eucaterva variaria
    © Bob Barber

    Eucaterva variaria
    © Bob Barber
    on Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis)
    Eucaterva variaria
    © John G. Franclemont CUIC LG

    Eucaterva variaria
    © John G. Franclemont CUIC LG

    Eucaterva variaria
    © Salvador Vitanza LG

    Eucaterva variaria
    © Salvador Vitanza LG


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