Insect
False Crocus Geometer Moth
Xanthotype urticariaAlso known as False Crocus Geometer
False crocus geometer moths flash brilliant buttery-yellow wings finely flecked with brown across North American woodlands from late spring into summer. Their slender caterpillars mimic twigs with uncanny precision, looping along low herbaceous plants and woody shrubs as they feed. Adults rest flat against foliage during the day and take flight after dusk, frequently drawn to artificial lights.
NocturnalForest DwellerCamouflage
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—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyNectar of flowering plants, Foliage of goldenrods (Solidago), Foliage of nettles (Urtica)
Predators
- Insectivorous bats
- Warblers and other forest songbirds
- Orb-weaver spiders
ThreatsArtificial light pollution, pesticide spraying, and broad-scale forest fragmentation
HabitatsDeciduous woodlands, forest edges, meadows, and riparian corridors
Life spanUp to 1 year across egg, larval, pupal, and adult life stages
Classification
- OrderLepidoptera
- FamilyGeometridae
- GenusXanthotype
- SpeciesXanthotype urticaria
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Night Lighting: Hang a white sheet with an ultraviolet or porch light to view resting adults up close without disturbing them.
- Gentle Observation: Approach slowly while the moth rests flat on foliage; sudden movement easily triggers an escape flight.
Host Plant no rights reserved, uploaded by georgiasteel · cc0
Host Plant (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Predator (c) Fyn Kynd, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by Jack Gelinas · cc0
Image unavailableClose Relative
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Found in Collections
Species set
Moonlight Marvels
False Crocus Geometer Moth is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
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