Green Arches

Late June through mid August, with the peak in July.

Holarctic; widespread in North America, from Newfoundland south to North Carolina, north to the Northwest Territories and west to British Columbia; also in Eurasia.

A relatively large (4.5 - 6 cm wingspan) olive or yellow-green, brown and white moth. The basal area and the upper postmedian areas are mottled white. The green coloring changes considerably depending on light and the age of specimens, but in fresh specimens and live ones it occurs in wide, longitudinal stripes. The orbicular and reniform spot are large, filled with brown or olive, and outlined in black, the reniform with a double outline. The hindwings are sooty brown with a diffuse lighter brown terminal band. Sexes similar, antennae simple. Related species of Anaplectoides are grey and brown, without any green.

It occurs in wooded areas. In Alberta it is most often collected in the parklands, southern boreal forest and mountains.

Adults are nocturnal and come to light. There is a single annual brood in Alberta. They overwinter as partly grown larvae.

A general feeder on forbs, shrubs, and other low-growing plants (Wagner, unpub.). Jones (1951) stated that in autumn they feed on low plants, including Rumex, and in spring on shoots of willow and Vaccinium sp. Other reported hosts include Rubus sp., Poplar, Ribes, Malus, and Vaccinium.