Ametris nitocris, the seagrape spanworm moth, is a moth of the family Geometridae. The species was first described by Pieter Cramer in 1780. It is found from the southern United States (including Florida)[1] through Central America to South America. It is also found on the Antilles.[2]

Seagrape spanworm moth
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Genus: Ametris
Species:
A. nitocris
Binomial name
Ametris nitocris
(Cramer, 1780)
Synonyms
  • Phalaena nitocris Cramer, 1780
  • Ametris nitocritaria Hübner, [1822]
  • Mecoceras bitactaria Hübner, 1822
  • Mecoceras peninsularia Grote, 1883
  • Mecoceras schauseria Edwards, 1884

The wingspan is about 43 mm.

The larvae of the Ametris nitocris are referred to as the greater inchworm in some parts of Florida.[3] These larvae feed on Coccoloba diversifolia.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "910673.00 – 6259 – Ametris nitocris – Seagrape Spanworm Moth – (Cramer, 1780)". North American Moth Photographers Group. Mississippi State University. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  2. ^ "Ametris nitocris". Moths of Jamaica.
  3. ^ Zipcodezoo
  4. ^ "Ametris nitocris (Cramer, 1780)". Catalogue of the Lepidoptera of the French Antilles. Retrieved September 16, 2019.