SCOPULA LIMBOUNDATA
LARGE LACE-BORDER

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. Adults are on wing from late May to late August or early September.

Large Lace-border Moths rest with their wings flat making it easy to admire the creamy hues of its wings. There is some variety within the species. Some individuals are mostly white with faint brown waves at the edges of the wings. Others have darker brown patterns on the edges. A few have a large black splotch on the forewings. When viewed together, they all look like they could be related, and indeed are the same species. They all have tiny black dots along the middle parts of the forewings. A fine, long fringe runs along the bottom edge of all four wings.

Adults are active from late spring to early autumn. Two broods (families) can be produced each year. Caterpillars are a type of inchworm. They eat leaves on apple and black cherry trees, blueberry bushes, clover and the native wildflower called meadow-beauty.

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