Red-Headed Inchworm Moth

Red-Headed Inchworm Moth

Macaria bisignata

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
at Boston

In 3 days ~10% in a week ~30%

32 Verified sightings at Boston
June Best month

About the Red-Headed Inchworm Moth

Macaria bisignata, the redheaded inchworm, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is found from Newfoundland to Georgia, west to Arizona, north to Ontario. The wingspan is about 25 mm (0.98 in). The moths are on wing from May to August depending on the location.

The head is reddish brown in color. A particular characteristic of markings are the 3 or 4 dark brown marks where the antemedial, medial, and postmedial lines meet costa (forewing leading edge) and by a larger, subrectangular spot where subterminal band meets costa. Another segment of subterminal band usually persists as a smaller dark spot between M3 and CuA1.

It is very similar looking to Psamatodes abydata which lacks the dark brown costa marks. The ground color (overall) of the wings ranges from light milky tan to darker gray-brown. The larva feeds on almost exclusively on pine such as Pinus strobus. Wikipedia →

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability

More parks will be added in future updates.

Cities Where Found

# City Country Daily sighting probability
1 Boston 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
2 Philadelphia 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
3 Baltimore 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
4 Chicago 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
5 Toronto 🇨🇦 Canada
<5%
6 Washington 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
7 New York City 🇺🇸 United States
<5%

Before you go

What are the chances of seeing a Red-Headed Inchworm Moth in Boston?

Rare

Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Red-Headed Inchworm Moth sighting in Boston on a given day, based on 32 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 342nd most-seen of the 1200 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, and over a week to about 30%, if each day is a fresh chance.

When is the best time to see a Red-Headed Inchworm Moth in Boston?

May–June and August

In those months about 10% of wildlife watchers report a Red-Headed Inchworm Moth in Boston on a given day, against under 5% in July and September–April, the lowest months.

Is Boston the best place to see a Red-Headed Inchworm Moth?

Yes

Of the 7 cities where we can rate Red-Headed Inchworm Moth sightings, Boston has the highest daily chance: under 5%. Next come Philadelphia (United States, under 5%) and Baltimore (United States, under 5%).

Where does the Red-Headed Inchworm Moth sighting chance come from?

GBIF citizen-science records

It is estimated from how often the Red-Headed Inchworm Moth is recorded against all the insects logged in Boston (32 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.

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