American lappet moth facts for kids

Quick facts for kids American lappet moth
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Lasiocampidae
Genus:	Phyllodesma
Species:	P. americana
Binomial name
Phyllodesma americana (Harris, 1841)
Synonyms
Phyllodesma americana ssp. canadensis Lajonquiére, [1969] Gastropacha ferruginea Packard, [1865] Phyllodesma americana f. clarinervata Lajonquiére, [1969] ?Phyllodesma americana ssp. santilaurensis Lajonquiére, [1969] Gastropacha californica Packard, 1872 Gastropacha mildei Stretch, 1872 Gastropacha roseata Stretch, 1872 Phyllodesma dyari Rivers, 1893

The American lappet moth (scientific name: Phyllodesma americana) is a type of moth that belongs to the Lasiocampidae family. These moths are known for their unique resting posture, which makes them look a bit like a cluster of dead leaves.

About the American Lappet Moth

The American lappet moth is found across a wide area of North America. You can spot them from Nova Scotia in Canada, all the way down to Georgia in the United States. They also live west through Texas to California, and north into British Columbia and Yukon.

Size and Appearance

Adult American lappet moths have a wingspan that ranges from about 29 to 49 millimeters. That's roughly the size of a large paperclip to a small matchbox. Their wings often have patterns that help them blend in with tree bark or leaves.

Life Cycle and Flight Times

These moths have different flight seasons depending on where they live. In the southern parts of their range, adults are active from March to September. During this time, they can have two "generations." This means they complete their life cycle (egg to adult) twice in one year.

Further north, like in eastern Ontario, adults fly from May to July. In Ohio, you might see them from April to August. In the very northern areas, they usually have only one generation per year.

What American Lappet Moth Caterpillars Eat

The young moths, called larvae or caterpillars, are quite picky eaters. They mostly munch on the leaves of various trees and shrubs.

Here are some of their favorite plants:

• Alnus
• Betula
• Quercus
• Populus (like poplars and aspens)
• Salix
• Ceanothus velutinus (a type of buckbrush)
• Chrysolepis chrysophylla (a type of chinkapin)
• Plants from the Rosoideae group, which includes many rose-like plants.

Different Kinds of American Lappet Moths

Within the Phyllodesma americana species, there are several recognized subspecies. These are like different "types" or groups that have slightly unique features or live in specific areas.

Some of these subspecies include:

• Phyllodesma americana rockiesensis
• Phyllodesma americana borealis
• Phyllodesma americana alascensis
• Phyllodesma americana californica
• Phyllodesma americana dyari
• Phyllodesma americana celsivolans