Melanolophia imitata

Melanolophia imitata, the western carpet or green-striped forest looper, is a moth of the family Geometridae. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1860. It is found in western North America from southern California, north to Alaska and east to extreme south-western Alberta.

Melanolophia imitata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Geometridae
Tribe:	Melanolophiini
Genus:	Melanolophia
Species:	M. imitata
Binomial name
Melanolophia imitata (Walker, 1860)
Synonyms
Melanolophia subgenericata Dyar, 1904 Melanolophia subimitata Forbes, 1948 (nom. nud.) Melanolophia imitata barbara Melanolophia imitata cana

The wingspan is 34–40 mm. Adults are on wing from March to June. There is one generation per year.

The larvae feed on the foliage of various conifer trees, but preferring Douglas fir, Tsuga and Abies species.

References

• McLeod, Robin (February 28, 2018). "Species Melanolophia imitata - Western Carpet - Hodges#6618". BugGuide. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
• "911057.00 – 6618 – Melanolophia imitata – Western Carpet Moth – (Walker, 1860)". North American Moth Photographers Group. Mississippi State University. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
• Schmidt, B. C. & Anweiler, G. G. (February 12, 2004). "Species Details Melanolophia imitata". University of Alberta Museums. E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum. Retrieved November 15, 2020.