Common Gray Moth

Description:

Geometrid moth with alternating shades of gray, tan, and black. Adult: forewing varies from medium gray to light yellowish-gray with heavy dark gray or black mottling; first abdominal segment forms pale whitish band, bordered proximally by black line; this black line extends onto base of hindwing and onto forewing, then curves forward but usually breaks before reaching costa; PM line wavy, toothed; ST line white, scalloped or zigzagged; hindwing color and pattern similar to forewing Larva: light brown twig mimic - head flat-faced, subquadrate, mottled with tan, white, black, and occasionally pink; often with black spots forming dark blotch to either side of triangle; dorsum of thoracic segments with fine, closely-paired black lines; second abdominal segment modestly swollen with low yellowish-orange dorsolateral swelling that includes spiracle; dorsum of eighth abdominal segment bears paired blackened warts

Habitat:

Range is throughout North America except the arctic. This one was observed at the edge of a southern deciduous forest in Edgefield County, SC.

Notes:

Adults fly from April to October. Larvae feed on apple, ash, clover, elm, pear, poplar, and willow. Per BAMONA, this spotting is a new species record for Edgefield County, SC. Hodges#6590