Moths of North Carolina
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Caripeta Members:
134 NC Records

Caripeta divisata Walker, [1863] - Gray Spruce Looper


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Geometroidea Family: GeometridaeSubfamily: EnnominaeTribe: OurapteryginiP3 Number: 911296.00 MONA Number: 6863.00
Comments: A moderately sized New World genus with 15 species described from northern Mexico, Canada and the U.S. We have verified 3 species within the state; two more are reported from websites but we have not seen authenticated specimens.
Species Status: Specimens from North Carolina have been included in barcode analysis and this species and C. angustiorata show almost identical sequences although their phenotypes are strikingly different. Furthermore, this species is found down both eastern and western mountain ranges and there are populations across Canada. Some of these are as different from each other as is C. angustiorata from C. divisata.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1948)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Wagner et al. (2001); Wagner (2005); Maeier et al. (2011)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: A medium-sized Geometrid with strongly marked brown-and-white forewings. Similar in size and pattern to other members of this genus but the forewings are dull brown without the red tint found in the others (Forbes, 1948). The hindwing is pale whitish. The color and pattern of this species as shown in the accompanying photographs should readily identify this species. Sexes are similar.
Wingspan: 27-38 mm (Forbes, 1948)
Adult Structural Features: The defining character in the valve seems to be the furcula (process of the juxta) which is much shorter than that of C. angustiorata and much thinner than that of C. aretaria. Characters of the vesica and aedeagus are not definitive. Female genital characters are similar but probably not identical as indicated by the ostial plate and the signum (see pictures attached).
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Larvae vary from red to brown, with pale patches ranging from gray to yellow (Wagner et al., 2001). Larvae of our three species are quite similar and need to be reared to adulthood to determine the species (Wagner et al., 2001).
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable only through rearing to adulthood.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Essentially confined to the Mountains where it is found throughout and is certainly our commonest of the three species. Our one Piedmont record was from a site near the foot of the Blue Ridge.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

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