Page 483 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Geometridae
DISTRIBUTION Across Europe into central Asia
HABITAT Deciduous woodland, parks, and gardens
HOST PLANTS Various deciduous trees, including birch (Betula spp.) and
oak (Quercus spp.)

NOTE Twiglike looper caterpillar that is perfectly camou aged on trees
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but not considered to be at risk

ADULT WINGSPAN
1 ⁄ –1⅜ in (27–35 mm)

CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1–1 ⁄ in (25–30 mm)
AGRIOPIS AURANTIARIA
SCARCE UMBER 481

(HÜBNER, [1799])

Scarce Umber caterpillars hatch in spring from eggs that have
overwintered on the bark of their host plants. The species is
common and widespread with the larvae feeding on deciduous
leaves from April to early June. The twiglike shape of the Actual size
caterpillars provides them with perfect camouflage among
the leaves and branches of the canopy. When fully fed, they
descend from their host trees and pupate on the ground. There is
a single generation, with the males on the wing in late fall, from
October to November, seeking out females.

During the day, males rest on fences and walls, ying at night,

when they are easily attracted to light. Scarce Umber females,
however, are virtually wingless, having only nonfunctional,
vestigial wings, reduced to small stubs, and spend their short
lives crawling up and down the trunks of the host trees, where
they lay their eggs. The caterpillars of Agriopis aurantiaria are
easily confused with the caterpillars of a closely related species,
the Dotted Border (A. marginaria).

The Scarce Umber caterpillar is twiglike, with a
long, slender body that is grayish to yellowish or
brownish, with pale and dark brown stripes and
dots on the side and sometimes dorsally that
give the appearance of tree bark. The head,
true legs, and prolegs are orange brown.