Deceptive hypena facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Deceptive hypena |
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The Hypena deceptalis, also known as the deceptive hypena or deceptive bomolocha moth, is a fascinating type of moth. It belongs to the Erebidae family. This moth was first officially described by Francis Walker in 1859.
About the Deceptive Hypena Moth
This moth is found across a large part of North America. You can spot it from Manitoba in Canada all the way south to Florida and Texas in the United States. However, it's not usually found in much of the Gulf Coastal Plain area.
The Hypena deceptalis is a medium-sized moth. Its wingspan (the distance from one wingtip to the other) is usually between 28 and 35 millimeters. That's about the size of a large coin!
These moths are active for several months of the year. They typically fly from April through August. There are usually two generations of these moths born each year.
What Do Deceptive Hypena Moths Eat?
The young moths, called larvae or caterpillars, need specific plants to eat. Their main food source is the Tilia americana tree, also known as the American basswood or linden tree.
However, scientists have found these moths in places where Tilia americana trees don't grow. This means there must be at least one other type of plant that the larvae can eat. It's a bit of a mystery!
