White Spring Moth

Common in eastern North America, from Newfoundland west to southeastern BC; south to Florida and Texas. There is a single Alberta record from the edge of the mountains at Seebe (Rindge, 1979; McGuffin, 1981).

A small (1.5 – 2.3 cm wingspan) shiny white translucent diurnal moth. The dorsal surface is unmarked; the underside is also unmarked except for light grey or brown along the costa. Antennae simple in both sexes. Cabera variolata is very similar but larger and has a scattering of brownish scales on the wings; it is also not “silky”, and males have feathery bipectinate antennae. Both Rindge (1971) and McGuffin (1981) illustrate adults and genitalia of both sexes of vestaliata.

Vestialis is found in xeric shrubby edges and woodlands.

Adults are diurnal. The larvae undergo 5 instars, with the adults flying in spring, after overwintering as pupae in the leaf litter or loose soil. Reported larval hosts include Prunus, Craetagus, Sorbus, Malus, Physocarpus, Viburnum and others with a decided preference for Rosaceae (Rindge, op. cit.; McGuffin, op. cit.). Wagner et al (2001) illustrate the larva in color.

Lomographa vestaliata, the white spring moth, is a moth in the family Geometridae. The species was first described by Achille Guenée in 1857. It is found in North America, where it has been recorded from Newfoundland west to south-eastern British Columbia and south to Florida and Texas. The habitat consists of xeric shrubby edges and woodlands.

The wingspan is 15–23 mm. Adults have shiny white translucent wings. Adults are diurnal and on wing in spring.

The larvae have been recorded feeding on Prunus, Crataegus, Sorbus, Malus, Physocarpus and Viburnum species.