Epimecis hortaria (Fabricius, 1794) - tulip-tree beauty moth in Ohio, USA.

From Horn (2012): "The tulip-tree beauty is the largest Ohio species in [the Geometrid] family. It resembles most other inchworm moths in having broad wings and a narrow body reminiscent of a butterfly. Like many inchworm moths, the amount of dark scaling is highly variable: some individuals are very light, while melanic (blackish) individuals are known. The pattern of wavy zigzag lines remains consistent, and most inchworm moths have a distinctive pattern. The hindwing of the tulip-tree beauty has a scalloped edge. Inchworm larvae have abdominal prolegs present only at the front and back ends of their bodies. Thus, they move in a distinctive looping gait when in motion. Many inchworms, this species included, are remarkable twig mimics."

Classification: Animalia, Arthropoda, Hexapoda, Insecta, Lepidoptera, Geometridae

Locality: western side of Newark, central Licking County, central Ohio, USA

Reference cited:

Horn (2012) - Moths of Ohio Field Guide. Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife Publication 5467. 79 pp. (<a href="http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/portals/wildlife/pdfs/publications/id%20guides/pub5467.pdf" rel="nofollow">wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/portals/wildlife/pdfs/publications/i...</a>)

See info. at: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epimecis_hortaria" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epimecis_hortaria</a> and