Juniper-Twig Geometer - Patalene olyzonaria

Total Wingspan: ~35 mm. Tan/orange forewings with a faint antemedial line and a bold blackish postmedial line that kinks inward before reaching the costa. The subterminal area had some black blotches. Apex is hooked.

I found this moth stuck in a spider web. I was torn as to what to do because I realize spiders have to eat too, but I set this guy free. How could I resist those fantastic, pectinate antennae??

After I rescued it from the web:

comments (2)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Awesome! Such an inviting and captivating image, and love how you got both angles really well.
PS: I sometimes release prey from web too, in particular when I was the cause of it. Based on the typical cog web I see, I don't think spiders easily go hungry. Posted 7 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks! I was so glad that it stopped to pose for a picture once I set it free rather than just flying away :)
  
  That was my thought too - the spider won't suffer from the loss of this moth. Judging from the cache I generally see in their webs, I'd say they are doing fine. Posted 7 years ago

The Juniper-twig geometer

''Patalene olyzonaria'', the juniper-twig geometer, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is found from Quebec and New Hampshire to Florida, west to Texas, north to Wisconsin.

Info 11 0

Similar species: Moths And Butterflies

Species identified by Christine Young