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Digital Guide to Moth Identification

Geometridae
91a0446 – 7414   Orthonama obstipata (Fabricius, 1794)
             Gem Moth

© David Reed
Synonymy:
  • obstipata (Fabricius, 1794) (Phalaena) - MONA 1983: 7414
  • ssp. a. obstipata (Fabricius, 1794) (Phalaena)
  •  albicinctata (Haworth, 1809) (Phalaena)
  •  angustata (Haworth, 1809) (Phalaena)
  •  baccata (Guenée, [1858]) (Camptogramma)
  •  brunneipennis (Hulst, 1896) (Nycterosea)
  •  discata (Warren, 1905) (Ochyria)
  •  exagitata (Walker, 1862) (Camptogramma)
  •  fluviata (Hübner, 1799) (Geometra)
  •  gemmaria (Boisduval, 1840) (Larentia)
  •  gemmata (Hübner, 1799) (Geometra)
  •  inconspicua (Warren, 1896) (Ochyria)
  •  intrusata (Walker, 1862) (Phibalapteryx)
  •  lapillata (Guenée, [1858]) (Camptogramma)
  •  marginata (Mathew, 1906) (Nycterosea)
  •  mortuaria (Schaus, 1908) (Plemyria)
  •  obruptata (Walker, [1863] 1862) (Coremia)
  •  obsoleta (Mathew, 1906) (Nycterosea)
  •  olivacea (Mathew, 1906) (Nycterosea)
  •  peracutata (Walker, 1862) (Cidaria)
  •  pigrata (Walker, 1866) (Coremia)
  •  plemyrata (Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875) (Cidaria)
  •  quaearendaria (Costa, [1850]) (Larentia)
  •  signataria (Walker, [1863] 1862) (Camptogramma)
  • Host Plants: Shropshire & Tallamy (2025) [accessed 6xii2025]: Host familiy: Annonaceae Asteraceae Euphorbiaceae Polygonaceae Rubiaceae Ulmaceae.  Host genera: Acalypha Annona Anthemis Chrysanthemum Galium Persicaria[=Polygonum] Polygonum[unresolved] Rumex Senecio[unresolved] Ulmus.  Notes: polyphagous on herbs (Forbes 1948); defoliator (El Anbri et al 2021).
    Similar  : Species
  • Pinned specimens of related species. (Hint: select View by Region on the related species page.)
  • 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.
    • Hall et al., 2021. The Moths of North Carolina - website (identification, habitats and life history)
    • Powell, J. A. & P. A. Opler, 2009. Moths of Western North America, Pl. 33.4f; p. 227. 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 Mass Moths
    • Species Page at iNaturalist
    Orthonama obstipata
    © Mark Dreiling - DNA
    Orthonama obstipata
    © Mark Dreiling - DNA
    Orthonama obstipata
    © J. Burishkin - gynandromorph
    Orthonama obstipata
    © Carol Wolf
    Orthonama obstipata
    © Machele White
    Orthonama obstipata
    © Scott Justis
    Orthonama obstipata
    © Scott Justis
    Orthonama obstipata
    © David Reed
    Orthonama obstipata
    © Jim Moore
    Orthonama obstipata
    © Carol Wolf
    Orthonama obstipata
    © Karl Hillig
    Orthonama obstipata
    LG – © Jim Troubridge
    Orthonama obstipata
    LG – © Jim Troubridge
    Orthonama obstipata
    LG – © Jim Troubridge
    Orthonama obstipata
    17mm - – © Jim Vargo
    Orthonama obstipata
    17mm - – © Jim Vargo

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