Phaeoura quernaria, the oak beauty, is a moth of the family Geometridae. The species was first described by James Edward Smith in 1797. It is found in eastern North America, occurring as far west as east-central Alberta.[2] The habitat consists of aspen-cherry shrubland.

Phaeoura quernaria
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Genus: Phaeoura
Species:
P. quernaria
Binomial name
Phaeoura quernaria
Synonyms
  • Phalaena quernaria J. E. Smith, 1797
  • Nacophora quernaria

The wingspan is 37–56 mm.[3] Adults are on wing from February to October in the southern part of the range, where two generations per year occur.

The larvae feed on various hardwood trees, including Betula papyrifera, Salix, Populus and Prunus species. They are grey to brown or greenish. Larvae can be found from June to October. The species overwinters in the pupal stage.

References

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  1. ^ "911191.00 – 6763 – Phaeoura quernaria – Oak Beauty Moth – (Smith, 1797)". North American Moth Photographers Group. Mississippi State University. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  2. ^ Schmidt, B. C. & Anweiler, G. G. (February 19, 2004). "Species Details: Nacophora quernaria". University of Alberta Museums. E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  3. ^ Cotinis (October 23, 2018). "Species Phaeoura quernaria - Oak Beauty - Hodges#6763". BugGuide. Retrieved April 3, 2019.