Orange holomelina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Orange holomelina |
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The orange holomelina, scientifically known as Virbia aurantiaca, is a type of moth. It is part of a large group of moths called the Erebidae family. This interesting moth can be found flying across many parts of North America.
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Orange Holomelina: A Colorful Moth
Where Does It Live?
This moth lives in a wide area across North America. In the eastern parts, it has been seen from Manitoba in Canada and Nova Scotia on the coast. Its home range stretches south along the eastern coast all the way to Cordoba in Mexico.
The orange holomelina has also been found in many central and southern U.S. states. These include Texas, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Kansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
What Does It Look Like?
The orange holomelina moth has different looks for males and females. The length of their front wings is usually about 10 mm for males. Females have slightly shorter front wings, about 9.7 mm long.
Male Moths
Male orange holomelina moths have front wings that can be a clay color or a cinnamon shade. Their back wings are a pretty peach-red color. These back wings also have a dark, raw umber band near the edge.
Female Moths
Female moths have front wings that range from a salmon color to cinnamon. They often have a faint olive-brown spot in the middle of their front wings. Their back wings are peach-red, just like the males. However, females have a brown spot in the middle of their back wings and brown markings near the edges.
What Do Larvae Eat?
The young stage of the moth is called a larva, or caterpillar. Scientists have studied what these larvae eat. They found that orange holomelina larvae like to feed on common plants. Their favorite foods include dandelion and different types of plantain species.
