Tulip-tree Beauty
Epimecis hortaria
The caterpillars are masterful mimics known as 'inchworms' that can hold their bodies perfectly stiff at an angle to look exactly like a small twig.
- Scientific name
- Epimecis hortaria
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Lepidoptera › Geometridae › Epimecis
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Deciduous forests, wooded parklands, and suburban gardens where host trees are present.
- Diet
- Larvae consume leaves of the tulip tree, sassafras, and magnolia; adults feed on floral nectar.
- Range
- Eastern United States, Southeastern Canada, Great Lakes Region
- Size
- Wingspan of 43 to 55 mm
- Lifespan
- 1 year (including egg, larval, and pupal stages)
- Active
- nocturnal
- Threats
- Light pollution, habitat fragmentation, and broad-spectrum pesticide use.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. This moth does not bite, sting, or possess irritating hairs. You may observe its remarkable camouflage from a distance; if it lands on you, it is safe to gently relocate it to a nearby tree trunk.
Epimecis hortaria , the tulip-tree beauty , is a species of Ennominae found in North America. It is found throughout New England south to Florida and west to Texas and Missouri. They can be seen flying from late March to early October. Adults are nocturnal and are attracted to lights. The immature caterpillars can be found feeding on Magnolia , Asimina , Populus , Sassafras and Liriodendron .
Photo: Katja Schulz, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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