Scientific name: Eupithecia interruptofasciata (Packard)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae

Distribution

Canada

This species occurs throughout the host range in the interior of British Columbia; it also occurs north to the Yukon, east to Newfoundland and south to Massachusetts.

Damage, symptoms and biology

Eupithecia interruptofasciata is a rather uncommon innocuous solitary defoliator.

Mature larva to 16 mm long. This species has two distinct colour morphs. The more common green morph has a green head and body; black middorsal stripe and cream coloured lateral flange. The brown morph has a light tan head with dark markings; the body is rusty brown with a black middorsal stripe above the cream coloured lateral flange and purplish brown below.

This species overwinters in the egg stage. Larvae are present from mid-May to early August, pupation occurs from July to August and adults emerge from late July to October.

Canadian Forest Service Publications

Diet and feeding behaviour

Phyllophagous: Feeds on the leaves of plants.
- Free-living defoliator: Feeds on and moves about freely on foliage.

Information on host(s)

Eupithecia interruptofasciata is restricted to common juniper.

Main host(s)

Photos

Dorso-lateral view of mature larva (brown morph), on common juniper

Dion Manastyrski Centre de foresterie du Pacifique, Victoria (Colombie-Britannique) / Pacific Forestry Centre, Victoria, British Columbia

Lateral view of mature larva (brown morph), on common juniper.