Synchlora aerata

Synchlora aerata
Conservation status
Secure  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Geometridae
Genus:	Synchlora
Species:	S. aerata
Binomial name
Synchlora aerata (Fabricius, 1798)
Synonyms
Phalaena aerata Fabricius, 1798 Aplodes glaucaria Guenée, 1857 Geometra mimicata Walker, 1866 Aplodes rubivora Riley, 1869 Synchlora rubrifrontaria Packard, 1873 Eunemoria gracilaria Packard, 1873 Synchlora rubivoraria Packard, 1876 Synchlora albolineata Packard, 1873 Synchlora albolinearia Packard, 1876 Synchlora liquoraria Guenée, 1857 Eunemoria tricoloraria Packard, 1874

Synchlora aerata, the wavy-lined emerald moth or camouflaged looper, is a species of moth of the family Geometridae. The species was described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1798.[2][3] It is found in the United States and Canada.[1][4]

The wingspan is about 17 mm.[4]

The larvae are loopers (inchworms) like the rest in the family. They feed on composite flowers, shrubs, and trees.[5] Recorded food plants include Aster, Rudbeckia, Liatris, Solidago, Artemisia, Achillea and Rubus species. The species overwinters as a partially grown larva.

The caterpillars employ the unusual behavior of affixing bits of the plant tissue on which they are feeding to the several large spines on their back. This provides cover from gleaning birds that rely on keen eyesight. The camouflage can also block smaller animals from sensing them.

This wavy-lined emerald moth not only hides visually but is masked from the chemical sensors on this crab spider's front legs.

Wavy-lined emerald moth is an inchworm. It defensively bumps insects that get too close to it.

Subspecies

• Synchlora aerata aerata (Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Arkansas, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, southern Ontario, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Maryland)
• Synchlora aerata albolineata Packard, 1873 (from Newfoundland to Alberta and south to Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, Maine, New England, Massachusetts, northern Connecticut. It is also found in southern Manitoba)
• Synchlora aerata liquoraria Guenée, 1857 (from California, Arizona and New Mexico to British Columbia and Alberta. It is also found in South Dakota)

• 
  Caterpillar with plant pieces as camouflage
• 
  Pupa with part of its cocoon made of plant pieces as camouflage

References

1. NatureServe (2 June 2023). "Synchlora aerata". NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
2. Savela, Markku. "Synchlora aerata (Fabricius, 1798)". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
3. "910639.00 – 7058 – Synchlora aerata – Wavy-lined Emerald Moth – (Fabricius, 1798)". North American Moth Photographers Group. Mississippi State University. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
4. Schmidt, B.C. (18 August 2003). "Species Details Synchlora aerata". University of Alberta Museums. E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
5. Rose, Joshua Stuart (April 22, 2019). "Species Synchlora aerata - Wavy-lined Emerald - Hodges#7058". BugGuide. Retrieved April 23, 2019.

External links

• Image of larva attaching pieces of flower to its back