Cloaked marvel moth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cloaked marvel moth |
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Chytonix
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C. palliatricula
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| Chytonix palliatricula (Guenee, 1852)
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The cloaked marvel moth (scientific name: Chytonix palliatricula) is a type of moth. It belongs to a large family of moths called Noctuidae, often known as owlet moths. This species was first officially described by a scientist named Achille Guenée in 1852.
Contents
Where Do Cloaked Marvel Moths Live?
This moth can be found across a wide area in North America. Its home stretches from southern Canada all the way down to the Gulf Coast in the United States.
Moth Habitats in North America
The cloaked marvel moth also lives west into the Great Plains. You can find it in states like Nebraska and Oklahoma in the south. Further north, it lives in Canadian provinces like Alberta and British Columbia.
Moths in Central America
Beyond North America, this moth has also been seen in Mexico, Guatemala, and Panama. This shows it can live in different climates, from cooler northern regions to warmer tropical areas.
What Does the Cloaked Marvel Moth Look Like?
The cloaked marvel moth is a medium-sized moth. Its wingspan, which is the distance from one wingtip to the other, is usually between 28 and 33 millimeters. That's about the length of a few paperclips lined up!
Forewing Colors and Patterns
The front wings, called forewings, have a mix of colors. They are often olive green, light grey, and dark grey. These wings also have large grey spots. A special black and white bar pattern can be seen in the fold of the wing.
When Do Adult Moths Fly?
Adult cloaked marvel moths are usually active in the late spring and throughout the summer months. During this time, they fly around, looking for mates and food.
What Do Cloaked Marvel Moth Caterpillars Eat?
The young form of the moth, called a larva or caterpillar, needs food to grow. Scientists believe that these caterpillars likely eat plants from the Poaceae family.
What are Poaceae Plants?
Poaceae is the scientific name for the grass family. This means the caterpillars probably munch on different types of grasses. Eating grass helps them grow big and strong before they turn into adult moths.
