Green-patched looper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Green-patched looper |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Diachrysia
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D. balluca
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| Diachrysia balluca Geyer, 1832
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The green-patched looper (scientific name: Diachrysia balluca) is a beautiful moth. It belongs to a group of moths called Noctuidae. This moth was first officially described in 1832 by a scientist named Carl Geyer.
About the Green-patched Looper
The green-patched looper moth gets its name from the shiny, green patches on its wings. These patches make it stand out! It is a medium-sized moth. Its wingspan is about 45 millimeters (about 1.8 inches). That's roughly the length of a golf tee.
Where it Lives
You can find the green-patched looper moth in many parts of North America. It lives in the north-eastern areas. Its home stretches from Nova Scotia in the east, all the way west to Manitoba. It also lives south into western North Carolina.
The southernmost place where it regularly lives is Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Sometimes, you might find a few moths further south. These might be moths that have traveled a long way from their usual homes.
Life Cycle and What it Eats
Adult green-patched looper moths are usually seen flying from June to September. During this time, they lay eggs. These eggs hatch into larvae, which are like caterpillars.
The larvae of the green-patched looper moth mostly eat leaves from woody plants. Some of their favorite plants include:
- Humulus lupulus (also known as hops)
- Populus tremuloides (a type of aspen tree)
- Laportea canadensis (a plant called Canada nettle)
- Rubus (which includes plants like raspberries and blackberries)
