American dun-bar moth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cosmia calami |
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Cosmia
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C. calami
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| Cosmia calami (Harvey, 1876)
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The American dun-bar moth (Cosmia calami) is a fascinating type of moth. It belongs to the Noctuidae family, which includes many different kinds of moths. You can find this moth in various parts of North America. It's especially known for what its caterpillars eat!
Contents
Discover the American Dun-bar Moth
Where Does This Moth Live?
The American dun-bar moth makes its home across North America. It has been found in many different states. These include California, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin.
What Does It Look Like?
This moth has a wingspan of about 32 mm. That's roughly the length of a standard paperclip! Its front wings, called forewings, are usually pale yellow or light brown. They often have small, faint spots. The back wings, or hindwings, are typically white. Adult moths are usually seen flying around in the middle of summer.
What Do Its Babies Eat?
The young of the American dun-bar moth are called larvae, or caterpillars. These caterpillars are quite unique because they are carnivorous. This means they eat other animals! They especially like to feed on the caterpillars of geometrid moths. These geometrid caterpillars often munch on the leaves of oak trees. So, the American dun-bar moth caterpillars help control the population of other caterpillars.
