Iridopsis pergracilis

Iridopsis pergracilis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Tribe: Boarmiini
Genus: Iridopsis
Species: I. pergracilis
Binomial name
Iridopsis pergracilis
(Hulst, 1900)[1]
Synonyms
  • Synelys pergracilis Hulst 1900
  • Anacamptodes pergracilis

Iridopsis pergracilis, the cypress looper moth, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is found from Maryland to Florida.[2]

The wingspan is 26–28 mm. Adults have whitish or pale tan wings with black antemedial and postmedial lines, often bordered by dark grey shading. In southern Florida, adults are on wing year round.

The larvae feed on Taxodium distichum (including Taxodium distichum var. nutans). They feed on parts of or entire leaves of their host plant. Prior to pupation, last instar larvae chew shallow depressions into the bark and form a cocoon of silk webbing and bark fibers. Pupation occurs on tree stems and branches.[3] They are light greyish with reddish-brown dorsal patches bordered by a subdorsal black stripe.

References


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