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Chickweed Geometer Moth

Haematopis grataria

The Chickweed Geometer, also known as Haematopis grataria, is a species of moth found throughout North America. The wingspan of the adult moth ranges from 2 to 2.5 cm. The wings are primarily yellow with distinctive pink markings, including a pink dot on each forewing, two pink lines across the bottom of the wings, with one thicker than the other, and a pink fringe on the edges of the wings. The scientific name Haematopis is derived from the Greek words “haima” meaning blood and “ops” meaning appearance, which could refer to the pink details on the wings.

The caterpillar of the Chickweed Geometer is known for its unique hump-like appearance. It has a green body and is covered in small bumps, giving it a rough texture. When threatened, the caterpillar can curl up and blend in with the surrounding vegetation, making it difficult to spot. The Chickweed Geometer caterpillar feeds on a variety of plants, including chickweed, dandelion, and clover.

One interesting fact about the Chickweed Geometer is that it is sometimes considered a pest in agricultural areas. The caterpillars can cause damage to crops, particularly soybeans and other legumes. Despite this, the Chickweed Geometer plays an important role in the ecosystem as a food source for birds and other predators.

Habitat
Fields, meadows, lawns, gardens
Scientific Name
Haematopis grataria
Status
Common
Wing Span
20mm to 25mm
General Size
Small
Wing Color
yellow
yellow
Marking's Color
pink
pink
Markings Pattern
Spots
Stripes / Straight Lines

Characteristics describe the physical and behavioral traits that distinguish a species from others. This section helps readers identify and differentiate between similar species, aiding in species identification and reducing the chance of misidentification.

Identifying Characteristics

  1. Pink dot on each forewing

  2. Two pink lines across bottom of wings, one is thicker than the other

  3. Pink fringe on edges of wings

The chart displays the months of the year on the x-axis and observations of a particular species on the y-axis, indicating the time of year when each species is most commonly observed. This chart can assist moth watchers and researchers in predicting the best times and locations to observe specific moth species.

A range map is a visual representation of a species' geographical distribution, and it helps naturalists and field researchers quickly determine if a species is likely to be found in a given area, aiding in identification, conservation, and habitat management efforts.