FIRST OCCURRENCE OF PERIZOMA ALCHEMILLATA (LEPIDOPTERA: GEOMETRIDAE) ON THE MAINLAND OF NORTH AMERICA

In 1958 I reported finding the European geometrid moth Perizoma alchemillata (L.) on the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland. This yas based on seven specimens collected in 1954 in the general vicinity of St. John's, but in places several miles apart, suggesting that the species was already well established. That was the first record of this species for North America. Morris and Bolte (1977) discussed its further spread in Newfoundland, summarized what was known about its food plants and distribution elsewhere, and gave illustrations of adults and genitalia. By 1975 it had become common on the Avalon Peninsula and was known from Lethbridge in central Newfoundland and Tompkins in western Newfoundland. Eleven adults were collected at Tompkins, 2-31 July 1975. Morris (1980: 241; pl. 29, fig. 26) again treated this species, adding Stephenville and St. Georges to the list of localities, indicating that additional material had been collected in southwest Newfoundland between 1975 and 1980. In 1959 and 1962 I collected intensively in the region of the Codroy Valley in southwest Newfoundland, covering the season from June to mid-August, and found no indication of its presence then; nor did I see it in a large collection made by Akira Mutuura in the Codroy Valley in July 1968 (Canadian National Collection).