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Xanthotype urticaria, the false crocus geometer, is a North American moth in the family Geometridae.

False crocus geometer
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Geometridae
Tribe:	Angeronini
Genus:	Xanthotype
Species:	X. urticaria
Binomial name
Xanthotype urticaria Swett, 1918
Synonyms
Xanthotype turbidaria Swett, 1918 Xanthotype vagaria Swett, 1918 Xanthotype watsoni Swett, 1918

Description

The wings are bright yellow with many brownish spots and blotches. Males have more of these spots than females. The wingspan measures 3–4 cm.[1]

Similar species

Similar species in the false crocus geometer's range include the crocus geometer (Xanthotype sospeta) and the rufous geometer (Xanthotype rufaria).

The crocus geometer is larger, is pale yellow, and has little or no brown spotting.[1]

The rufous geometer is a deeper yellow and has a reddish fringe.[1]

Flight

This moth is on the wing from May to November.[1]

Host plants

Here is a list of host plants used by the false crocus geometer:

• Red osier dogwood, Cornus sericea
• Ground-ivy, Glechoma hederacea
• Catnip, Nepeta sp.
• Rhodora, Rhododendron canadense
• Goldenrods, Solidago sp.[1]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Xanthotype urticaria.

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