Moths of North Carolina
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Eutrapela Members:
733 NC Records

Eutrapela clemataria (J.E. Smith, 1797) - Curve-toothed Geometer

Eutrapela clematariaEutrapela clematariaEutrapela clemataria
view caption 		Eutrapela clemataria
Taxonomy
Superfamily:
Geometroidea		 Family:
Geometridae		Subfamily:
Ennominae		Tribe:
Ourapterygini		P3 Number:
91a1422		 MONA Number:
6966.00		 Other Common Names:
Purplish-brown Looper, Curved-toothed Geometer Moth
Comments: A genus with just one species, which occurs abundantly throughout eastern North America, including all of North Carolina
Species Status: There is very little variation in nucleotide sequence from North Carolina or elsewhere; no cryptic species are suspected.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1948; as Abbotana clemetaria)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Forbes (1948); Wagner et al. (2001); Wagner (2005)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: One of our largest Geometrid moths. It is variable in pattern but usually dark brown with a conspicuous pale line that runs straight from the inner margin to just below the apex where in makes a sharp inward turn towards the costa. The apex of the wing is falcate and often has a pale patch. The inter-antennal ridge is a contrasting bright white. This species is is unlikely to be confused with anything other than Prochroedes, which is similar in size and pattern and sometimes in color, but has smooth wing margins as opposed to the crenulate margins of Eutrapela. Sexes similar but the female is much larger and far less common at light.
Wingspan: 45-60 mm (Forbes, 1948)
Adult Structural Features: Male antennae are serrate. Reproductive structures of both the male and female are quite distinct from other large Geometrids.
Structural photos
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: Larvae are twig mimics and easily recognized with practice; the older larvae are quite distinct with their knobby head region and warts over A4 and A8.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Occurs across the state, from the Barrier Islands to the High Mountains.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Eutrapela clemataria
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Immature Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Flight Comments: Shows up in late winter and is one of the most common species collected in the spring. This species appears to have two well drawn out broods which extend through most of the warm season.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: We have records from nearly all habitat types in the state -- wherever woody plants occur. Habitats span the entire spectrums of elevation, moisture, and soil pH. Both open and forested habitats are used, and human-altered as well as natural.
Larval Host Plants: In the late spring the caterpillars are apt to be found on almost any tree or shrub. We have reared individuals collected from American Holly (Ilex opaca), Common Waxmyrtle (Morella cerifera), and Sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum). We also have records for larvae on American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) and Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), and J.B. Sullivan reared or recorded larvae on Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia), Bluejack Oak (Quercus incana), Willow Oak (Q. phellos), and Turkey Oak (Q. laevis). - View
Observation Methods: Adults come abundantly to light but we have no records from bait or flowers. Caterpillars are expected whenever one beats shrubs and trees.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Forests and Shrublands
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 SNR [S5]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: One of the most widespread species in the state, as well as one of the most generalized in terms of host plants and habitat associations. Consequently, this species appears to be one of the most secure in North Carolina.

 Photo Gallery for Eutrapela clemataria - Curve-toothed Geometer

295 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-08
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-05-08
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: John Petranka, Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2025-04-14
Bladen Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-04-03
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-04-01
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-03-31
Wilson Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-03-28
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Emily Stanley on 2025-03-26
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-03-25
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-03-24
Brunswick Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Lior S. Carlson, Dean Furbish on 2025-03-19
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Lior S. Carlson, Dean Furbish on 2025-03-19
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-03-15
Brunswick Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2025-03-12
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-03-12
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George on 2024-11-01
Durham Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-10-02
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Michael P. Morales on 2024-08-23
Cumberland Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-08-10
Mitchell Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2024-08-05
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Stephen Dunn on 2024-08-02
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Stephen Dunn on 2024-08-02
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2024-07-31
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2024-07-30
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-30
Wilson Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik, Patrick Coin, Steve Hall, Carol Tingley, Tom Howard on 2024-07-27
Chatham Co.
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Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-07-24
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George on 2024-07-20
Chatham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-07-19
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-07-13
Brunswick Co.
Comment: