Dusky dune moth facts for kids

The Dusky Dune Moth (scientific name: Copablepharon longipenne) is a type of moth. It belongs to a large family of moths called Noctuidae. A scientist named Augustus Radcliffe Grote first described this species in 1882. You can find these moths in North America. They live from southwestern Manitoba and southern Alberta in Canada, all the way south to western Texas in the United States.

Meet the Dusky Dune Moth: Appearance and Life

The Dusky Dune Moth is a medium-sized moth. Its wingspan is usually between 35 and 39 millimeters. That's about 1.4 to 1.5 inches wide! Adult moths fly around during the summer. You can spot them from July to August, depending on where they live. These moths have one generation each year. This means they complete their entire life cycle, from egg to adult, within one year.

Life Underground: The Larvae Stage

The young moths, called larvae (or caterpillars), have a unique lifestyle. They live buried in the soil. Usually, they are about 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) deep. They stay close to the plants they eat. Scientists believe these larvae feed on plant roots and other parts underground. This helps them stay safe from predators.

Becoming a Moth: The Pupation Process

After growing enough, the larvae change into a pupa. This is a resting stage where they transform into an adult moth. They also pupate, or form a cocoon, in the soil. About two and a half weeks later, the adult moth emerges from the soil. It is then ready to fly and continue the life cycle.

Different Types of Dusky Dune Moths

Scientists sometimes divide animal species into smaller groups called subspecies. These groups have slight differences, often based on where they live. The Dusky Dune Moth has two known subspecies:

• Copablepharon longipenne longipenne (described by Grote in 1882)
• Copablepharon longipenne serraticornis (described by A. Blanchard in 1976)