Conservation Status
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Not of concern.
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Cyclicity
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An early spring flier, peaking in late April to late May.
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Distribution
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Across southern Canada, from northern Alberta south to New Brunswick, Colorado and Washington (McGuffin 1977).
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General Description
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For a geometrid, this species has an unusually stout and hairy body (hence the name), and together with the elongate wing shape, it is more reminiscent of a species of Gluphisia (Notodontidae); however, it lacks the tan scales of Gluphisia. More uniformly grey overall than Biston betularia, with less contrasting transverse black lines. Lycia rachelae is not mottled, and has orange-brown scales along the forewing costa (absent in ursaria). Female fully winged, but apparently collected only rarely.
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Habitat
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Mixedwood and deciduous forests and woodlands.
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Life Cycle
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The eggs are laid in clusters of 150 to 200 in early spring before bud break, and hatch in about three weeks. The purplish-brown larvae are twig mimics, and develop slowly throughout the spring and summer, not pupating until mid July to early August (Prentice 1963, McGuffin 1977, Wagner et al. 2001). Adults come to light. This is one of the first species to emerge in the spring, along with Feralia, Orthosia and Gluphisia species.
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Trophic Strategy
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Larvae feed on a variety of deciduous trees and shrubs such as dogwood (Cornus stolonifera), white birch (Betula papyrifera), willows (Salix spp.), alders (Alnus spp.), Vaccinium spp. and Prunus spp. (McGuffin 1977).
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Lycia ursaria
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Lycia ursaria, the stout spanworm moth or bear, is a moth of the family Geometridae. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1860.[1] It is found in southern Canada and the northern United States, south to New Jersey and Iowa.[2]
The wingspan is about 45 mm. The forewings of the males are broad, evenly grey and heavily speckled with black. There are three black wavy lines on the wing. The hindwings are similar but are more muted in colour. The females have reduced wings and are incapable of flight. For a geometrid, this species has an unusually stout and hairy body.[3] Adults are on wing from March to June in one generation per year.
The larvae feed on the leaves of various broadleaved trees and shrubs, including Alnus, Malus, Fraxinus, Tilia, Betula, Vaccinium, Cornus, Ulmus, Crataegus, Populus and Salix.[2]
References
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Lycia ursaria: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
Lycia ursaria, the stout spanworm moth or bear, is a moth of the family Geometridae. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1860. It is found in southern Canada and the northern United States, south to New Jersey and Iowa.
The wingspan is about 45 mm. The forewings of the males are broad, evenly grey and heavily speckled with black. There are three black wavy lines on the wing. The hindwings are similar but are more muted in colour. The females have reduced wings and are incapable of flight. For a geometrid, this species has an unusually stout and hairy body. Adults are on wing from March to June in one generation per year.
The larvae feed on the leaves of various broadleaved trees and shrubs, including Alnus, Malus, Fraxinus, Tilia, Betula, Vaccinium, Cornus, Ulmus, Crataegus, Populus and Salix.
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