Large Lace Border

Not of concern.

Adults fly in mid July to early August.

Newfoundland to FL, west to Alberta and AZ (Covell 1970).

Identifying species of Scopula can present a challenge, and differences among species are best appreciated by looking at series of specimens. S. limboundata can generally be distinguished from other Scopula by the broad, diffuse band of submarginal spots in combination with the well-defined black discal spots. The submarginal band is variable, and specimens which are almost entirely charcoal grey occur; conversely, individuals which totally lack the submarginal spots (form enucleata) are very similar to S. ancellata and S. junctaria, but limboundata has an irregular PM line (straight or nearly so in ancellata and junctaria), and discal spots are usually absent in junctaria. Structurally the hind tibia of limboundata is more than three times the length of the tarsus, while all other Scopula have a much shorter hind tibia (Covell 1970).

Forests and woodlands.

The larvae are thin and elongate, mimicking twigs. They overwinter in the fourth instar (McGuffin 1967, Wagner et al. 2001). Adults come to light, and can also be flushed by day when they rest with the wings to the side and flattened against the substrate.

Larvae are generalist feeders on trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants, including blueberry (Vaccinium), cherry (Prunus), shrubby cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa), bedstraw (Galium) and smartweed (Polygonum) (Covell 1970).

Scopula limboundata, the large lace-border, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It was described by Adrian Hardy Haworth in 1809. It is found in North America east of the Rocky Mountains. There is a single and unconfirmed record from Great Britain.

The wingspan is 25–30 millimetres (0.98–1.18 in). Adults are on wing from late May to late August or early September.

The larvae feed on apple, blueberry, clover, dandelion, meadow-beauty, and black cherry.