Grey marvel facts for kids

The grey marvel (scientific name: Anterastria teratophora) is a type of moth that belongs to the family Noctuidae. This moth was first officially described by a scientist named Gottlieb August Wilhelm Herrich-Schäffer in 1854.

What is the Grey Marvel Moth?

The grey marvel moth is a small, interesting insect. It gets its common name, "grey marvel," from its appearance. Like all moths, it has a body covered in tiny scales and two pairs of wings.

How Big is This Moth?

The grey marvel moth has a wingspan of about 25 millimeters (which is about 1 inch). This means that when its wings are spread out, they measure about 2.5 centimeters from one tip to the other.

Where Does the Grey Marvel Moth Live?

You can find the grey marvel moth across a wide area of North America. It lives in places from Quebec in the east, all the way west to central Alberta in Canada. In the United States, it can be found as far south as Florida and Arizona.

Life Cycle of the Grey Marvel Moth

The grey marvel moth goes through a complete metamorphosis, just like other moths and butterflies. This means it starts as an egg, hatches into a larva (caterpillar), then becomes a pupa, and finally emerges as an adult moth.

When Can You See Adult Moths?

Adult grey marvel moths are usually active from May to August. The exact time depends on where they live, as warmer regions might see them earlier. There is typically only one generation of these moths each year. This means that the moths lay eggs, and those eggs grow into new adults all within one season.

What Do Young Moths Eat?

The young moths, which are called larvae or caterpillars, have a special diet. They like to feed on plants from the Mentha and Monarda groups. Mentha includes plants like mint, and Monarda includes plants like bee balm.