Ottawa (Dunrobin), ON Canada

29 June 2001   4:17AM EST  (top left)
14 July 2002   12:59AM EST  (top right)
18 July 2002   12:14AM EST  (center left)
29 July 2002   11:41PM EST  (center right)
12 July 2002   11:42PM EST  (bottom)

Macrurocampa marthesia is usually described and shown as a dark gray or grayish brown moth, and on the basis of the illustrations in Covell (1984), Handfield (1999) and various web sites, I initially had some difficulty recognizing that the specimens illustrated here were actually the same species.  As I came to learn, however, thanks to Dr. A.W. Thomas (formerly of NRCAN) and Dr. J. Donald Lafontaine (Agriculture Canada), a number of Notodontid species that look gray and/or brown in collections actually have quite a greenish color when they are fairly freshly emerged, and Macrurocampa marthesia seems to be one such species.  Among the photos above, the bottom photo is probably the closest to the usual descriptions of this species whereas, on the night I took the center right photo, I was all in a tizzy trying to think of any local moth species that could possibly look such a vivid turquoise blue-green color.

The basal area of the forewing seems to be consistently a dark gray color, bounded at the outer edge by a sharply zigzag, double antemedial line.  The median area is somewhat paler, variably mottled, and usually with the reniform spot marked by a dark crescent.  In fresh live specimens, the dominant color may be gray-green through almost turquoise.  The postmedial line is not very distinct, but its scallops are at least intermittently visible, especially nearer the inner margin.  A toothed subterminal line is usually preceded by a dark gray shade, noticeable in the upper half of the subterminal area.  The sides of the thorax may also display the greenish color.  The hindwings are gray to whitish with gray veins.

The larvae of Macrurocampa marthesia feed on maple, beech, oak and other deciduous trees.  According to Handfield (1999), the adult moth may be observed in my general area from late June through the beginning of August.

I have photographed this species in 2000 on 29 July; in 2001, on 22 and 29 June; in 2002 on 28, 29 and 30 June, and on 1, 4, 6, 11, 12, 14, 17, 18 and 21 July.