Species Details
Synchlora aerata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameWavy-lined Emerald
SeasonalityLate June - mid July, with a second flight in late August in the prairie region.
IdentificationAlthough similar in colouration and size to Nemoria emeralds, the scalloped or wavy white transverse lines are unique; it is also the only emerald with a white dorsal line along the green abdomen. Usually the commonest green geometrid in Alberta.
Ferguson (1985) assigns Alberta populations to subspecies liquoraria (Guenee).
Scientific Name
Synchlora aerata
Common Name
Wavy-lined Emerald
Habitat
Woodlands, meadows, prairie grassland and shrubland.
Seasonality
Late June - mid July, with a second flight in late August in the prairie region.
Identification
Although similar in colouration and size to Nemoria emeralds, the scalloped or wavy white transverse lines are unique; it is also the only emerald with a white dorsal line along the green abdomen. Usually the commonest…
Although similar in colouration and size to Nemoria emeralds, the scalloped or wavy white transverse lines are unique; it is also the only emerald with a white dorsal line along the green abdomen. Usually the commonest green geometrid in Alberta.
Ferguson (1985) assigns Alberta populations to subspecies liquoraria (Guenee).
Life History
The larvae possess unique subdorsal triangular projections (lateral in Nemoria). Larvae exhibit the fascinating behavior of attaching bits of the plant tissue on which they are feeding along their backs, perhaps the…
The larvae possess unique subdorsal triangular projections (lateral in Nemoria). Larvae exhibit the fascinating behavior of attaching bits of the plant tissue on which they are feeding along their backs, perhaps the ultimate form of visual camouflage. Wagner et al. (2001) illustrate a larva with bits of flower petals attached, which are apparently renewed daily since plant bits are always fresh. Larvae can be found feeding on the flower heads of composites (Wagner et al. 2001). The partially grown larva overwinters (McGuffin 1988). Adults are nocturnal and come to light.
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
Flowers, particularly of composites (Asteraceae), including Aster, Rudbeckia, Liatris, Solidago, Artemisia, Achillea, and Rubus (Ferguson 1985, Wagner et al. 2001).
Range
Coastal BC east to Newfoundland, south to NC and CA (Ferguson 1985).
Citation
Page Citation for Synchlora aerata
Page Citation
"Species Details - Synchlora aerata, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search-test.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-4310. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
References
Author
Wagner, D.L, D.L. Ferguson, T.L. McCabe and R.C. Reardon
Title
Geometroid Caterpillars of Northeastern and Appalachian Forests
Publication Date
2001
Pages
239
Author
Ferguson, D. C
Title
Geometroidea : Geometridae (part)
Publication Date
1985
Pages
131
Author
McGuffin, W. C.
Title
Guide to the Geometridae of Canada (Lepidoptera): III, IV, and V. Subfamilies Archiearinae, Oenochrominae, and Geometrinae. DUP
Publication Date
1988
Series Title
Memoirs of the Entomological Society of Canada
Volume
145
Pages
56
Specimen Information
There are 74 specimens of this Species.
UASM7156 - Synchlora aerata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Tofield
Collected BySchmidt, B. C.
Date Collected1999-08-04
UASM10405 - Synchlora aerata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1921-06-28
UASM10412 - Synchlora aerata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1921-07-14
UASM10415 - Synchlora aerata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1922-07-04
UASM10426 - Synchlora aerata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1922-07-17
UASM10428 - Synchlora aerata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1929-07-14
UASM10429 - Synchlora aerata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1929-07-15
UASM10431 - Synchlora aerata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1932-07-13
UASM10432 - Synchlora aerata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1929-07-17
UASM10435 - Synchlora aerata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1917-07-09
UASM10436 - Synchlora aerata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1924-07-16
UASM10438 - Synchlora aerata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lethbridge
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1923-07-15
UASM10439 - Synchlora aerata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1932-06-24
UASM10440 - Synchlora aerata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1928-07-10
UASM10441 - Synchlora aerata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Lethbridge
Collected ByGray, Harold E.
Date Collected1923-07-23
UASM10443 - Synchlora aerata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1923-07-19
UASM10444 - Synchlora aerata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1941-07-16
UASM10445 - Synchlora aerata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1929-07-15
UASM24893 - Synchlora aerata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Red Deer River
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected2000-07-12
UASM24894 - Synchlora aerata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1998-06-20
UASM24895 - Synchlora aerata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Redwater
Collected ByLawrie, D.
Date Collected1999-07-20