George's Carpet Moth
Common NameGeorge's Carpet Moth
Scientific NameHydriomena georgiana
FamilyGeometridae
SubfamilyLarentiinae
Wingspan (mm)25
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsgrey, brown, dark brown
HabitatConiferous and mixed forests, woodlands
Geographic RangeEastern North America, from Nova Scotia south to Georgia, west to Michigan and Arkansas
Host Plantshemlock (Tsuga spp.), spruce (Picea spp.), fir (Abies spp.)
Flight PeriodLate March to early June
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis. Larvae are 'loopers' or 'inchworms' that feed on the foliage of coniferous trees, typically pupating in the soil or leaf litter.
Identification TipsKey identification features include the overall grey-brown cryptic coloration, the distinct dark brown, often irregular, median band on the forewings, and the wavy, scalloped postmedian and subterminal lines.
Description
This moth has a mottled grey and brown appearance, with forewings featuring a prominent dark brown median band and intricate wavy transverse lines, providing excellent camouflage.
