Forest Pests: Insects, Diseases & Other Damage Agents

Cleft-headed Looper (Biston betularia)

Maier, C.T., C.R. Lemmon, J.M. Fengler, D.F. Schweitzer, and R.C. Reardon. 2004. Caterpillars on the Foliage of Conifers in the Northeastern United States. FHTET-2004-1. Morgantown, WV: USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team; 151 p.

Description. Gray body with depression between pointed lobes of head, with tiny speckles especially dorsally on body, and with prothoracic and abdominal tubercles; variable body color. Mainly reddish brown head; anterior edge of prothoracic shield with low transverse ridge bearing small pair of tubercles; mostly yellowish brown thoracic legs. Grayish dorsum with tiny black speckles that sometimes reach level of spiracles, particularly where segments meet. Transverse dorsal hump on A8; large tubercle before and slightly above spiracle on A5; orange-red spiracles contrast with gray body. Small, slender white filaments on prolegs and between their bases. Up to 60 mm.

Food. Many trees and shrubs, including occasionally eastern larch and eastern white pine.

Life Cycle. One generation (possibly two in some areas). Pupa normally overwinters in soil or debris. Mature caterpillar present from July to November.

Comments. The body of the mature caterpillar can also be mainly brown or green. Rose et al. (2000) have shown one brownish form, and Wagner et al. (2001) have pictured a greenish form. Mature caterpillars on different plants vary greatly in length, ranging from 35 to 70 mm, which is large for a geometrid. This cryptic species usually lies flat against a twig or a branch when it is not feeding.

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