Blueberry dart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blueberry dart |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Coenophila
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| Species: |
C. opacifrons
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| Binomial name | |
| Coenophila opacifrons (Grote, 1878)
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The Blueberry Dart (scientific name: Coenophila opacifrons) is a type of moth. It is also sometimes called the Plain-faced Blueberry Dart. This moth belongs to a large family called Noctuidae, which includes many different kinds of moths. The Blueberry Dart was first described by a scientist named Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1878.
About the Blueberry Dart
The Blueberry Dart moth is a fascinating insect found in North America. It's known for its plain appearance, which helps it blend into its surroundings.
What Does It Look Like?
These moths are medium-sized. Their wingspan usually measures between 32 and 38 millimeters. That's about 1.2 to 1.5 inches wide! Adult Blueberry Darts are active during the summer months, typically from July to August.
Where Does It Live?
You can find the Blueberry Dart moth across a wide area of North America. It lives in places like Labrador and Newfoundland in Canada. Its range extends south to New Jersey in the United States. It also spreads west across the boreal forest regions, reaching eastern British Columbia. In the mountains, it can be found as far south as southern Montana.
Life Cycle and Food
The Blueberry Dart moth has one generation each year. This means they complete their life cycle from egg to adult once per year. The young moths, called larvae or caterpillars, eat specific plants. They feed on Chamaedaphne calyculata (also known as leatherleaf), different types of Vaccinium plants (like blueberries), and Myrica gale (sweet gale).
