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Image Credit: Casy C. from central IL
Bright yellow with lines of pink, the low-flying Chickweed Geometer is a cheerful summer moth that shows its colors all day long.
Chickweed Geometers are small moths with an uncommon color combination. Yellow wings have a pink dot on each forewing and two pink bands that cross the wings near the bottom edge: one thick, one thin. They also have a pink fringe along the edges of both forewings and hindwings. Some individuals' markings are a softer, rosy pink while others are a deeper fuchsia. The antennae of males are almost feathery in appearance. Female antennae are more ordinary. They look alike in every other way.
Caterpillars of Chickweed Geometers feed on short growing plants like chickweed (their namesake), stitchwort, knotweed, and clover. Almost all of these plants are considered weeds. The Chickweed Geometer can be found fluttering about, low to the ground, in yards, parks, fields, meadows and gardens. Look for adults from late spring to mid-autumn. August is a month of high activity. They are daytime fliers which makes for abundant opportunities to spot them.
Scientific Name: Haematopis grataria
Butterfly or Moth
Size (Adult; Length): 18mm to 26mm (0.70in to 1.01in)
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Butterfly and Moth Anatomy
Antennae: Butterflies and Moths have a pair of antennae on the head used as sensors.
Head: The head is home to the insect's eyes, antennae, and proboscis.
Thorax: Home to the three pairs of legs as well as vital internal organs.
Abdomen: Contains vital internal organs such as the heart(s) and reproduction facilities.
Forewing: The upper, forward wing pair used for flying.
Hindwing: The lower, rearward wing pair used for flying.
NOTE: Butterflies and Moths are part of the Lepidopteran order as they share many similarities.