Large Grey Pinion, Green Fruitworm

A fairly common, widespread species; no concerns.

In Alberta adults fly in September and again early April - late May.

Quebec, Maine and New York west across southern Canada to Vancouver Island, north to the Northwest Territories and south in the mountains to Arizona and California. In Alberta it is widespread in the parkland, boreal and montane regions, and also in wooded valleys in the grasslands region (Medicine Hat and Dinosaur Provincial Park).

A medium-sized (4.0-4.8 cm wingspan) narrow-winged moth with blue-grey forewings and a prominent pale orbicular spot. There is a long thin basal dash and dark contrasting veins; normal lines mostly obsolete and the subterminal line a series of small blackish wedges between the veins. The orbicular is erect, oblong and pale, and the reniform is high and narrow, slightly concave on the outer side, and pale ringed with some dark filling, especially at the lower end. The hindwings are pale brown-grey. The abdomen lacks tufts. The male genitalia lack a recognizable corona, cucullus and digitus. The sexes are similar, but females are darker. Spring specimens are much paler (faded) than freshly emerged fall ones. The similar L. fagina is smaller, has a contrasting pale frosted-looking costa, and lacks the normal spots, darkened veins and other markings of georgii. Cucullia intermedia is also similar but has pointed forewings (squared in Lithophane).

Mature deciduous woodland, plantations, etc.

There is a single annual brood, with the adults emerging in the fall and hibernating for the winter, re-appearing in April and laying eggs in the spring. The larvae are climbing cutworms or fruit-worms. They are green with a wide pale dorsal stripe, narrow subdorsal stripes and a wide stigmatal line.

A wide variety of deciduous trees and shrubs, including spiraea, hawthorn (Crataegus), maple (Acer), alder (Alnus), dogwood (Cornus), apple Malus), cherry (Prunus), current (Ribes), and willow (Salix). Young fruit as well as foliage is consumed (Rings et al,1992).