Macaria bisignata, the redheaded inchworm, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is found from Newfoundland to Georgia, west to Arizona, north to Ontario.

Macaria bisignata
Macaria bisignata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Genus: Macaria
Species:
M. bisignata
Binomial name
Macaria bisignata
Walker, 1866
Synonyms[1]
  • Semiothisa bisignata
  • Macaria consimilata Zeller, 1872
  • Macaria galbineata Zeller, 1872
  • Diastictis festa Hulst, 1896

The wingspan is about 25 mm (0.98 in). The moths are on wing from May to August depending on the location.

The head is reddish brown in color. A particular characteristic of markings are the 3 or 4 dark brown marks where the antemedial, medial, and postmedial lines meet costa (forewing leading edge) and by a larger, subrectangular spot where subterminal band meets costa. Another segment of subterminal band usually persists as a smaller dark spot between M3 and CuA1.[2][3] It is very similar looking to Psamatodes abydata which lacks the dark brown costa marks. The ground color (overall) of the wings ranges from light milky tan to darker gray-brown.

The larva feeds on almost exclusively on pine such as Pinus strobus.

References

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  1. ^ Savela, Markku (ed.). "Macaria bisignata". Lepidoptera and some other life forms. Retrieved 17 February 2021 – via FUNET.
  2. ^ Ferguson, Douglas C. (2008). Geometroidea : Geometridae (part), Ennominae (part-Abraxini, Cassymini, Macariini) (PDF). Washington [D.C.]: Wedge Entomological Research Foundation. p. 195. ISBN 978-0933003-13-2. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Species Macaria bisignata - Red-headed Inchworm - Hodges#6342".
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