American Copper Underwing

amphipyra pyramidoides

The American Copper Underwing (Amphipyra pyramidoides) is a captivating nocturnal moth native to North America. Known for its clever concealment strategies, this moth features drab, bark-like forewings that blend seamlessly with tree trunks during the day, keeping it safe from hungry birds. However, when disturbed or in flight, it reveals a brilliant flash of coppery-orange on its hindwings—a defensive mechanism designed to startle potential predators. The caterpillars are equally distinctive, possessing a bright green body with a prominent yellow stripe along each side and a striking pyramid-shaped hump on the rear. This common but delightful species is a favorite among backyard entomologists and plays an important role in forest ecosystems as both a herbivore and a food source for nocturnal insectivores.

Lebensraum: Found in deciduous forests, suburban gardens, orchards, and parks across North America where larval host plants are abundant.

Aussehen

The adult moth has a wingspan of 4 to 5 cm. Its forewings are mottled with dark brown, grey, and black, perfectly mimicking tree bark, complete with thin, scalloped lines. In contrast, the hindwings are a bright, shiny coppery-orange or copper-brown, with a dark brown border. The caterpillar is pale green, decorated with a yellow lateral line, a thin white dorsal line, and a characteristic pointed, pyramid-shaped horn on its eighth abdominal segment.

ReichAnimaliaStammArthropodaKlasseInsectaOrdnungLepidopteraFamilieNoctuidaeGattungAmphipyra

American Copper Underwing

Kategorie

Insekten

Seltenheit

Common

Gefahr

1/5 · Sehr gering

Snaps

Mach den ersten Snap!

Interessante Fakten

The caterpillar has a distinct, bright yellow stripe and a pyramidal rear hump, which earned it the scientific species name pyramidoides.

The common name underwing refers to the contrast between the drab forewings and the brilliantly colored copper hindwings hiding underneath.

Unlike many moths that fly immediately when disturbed, the American Copper Underwing often prefers to run or scurry sideways along tree bark to escape danger.

Besondere Fähigkeiten

Flashes bright copper hindwings when threatened to startle predators while keeping its cryptic forewings folded at rest.

Forewings mimic tree bark textures and shades, allowing the moth to remain completely hidden on trunks during daylight hours.

The caterpillar features a sharp rear hump that breaks up its caterpillar-like silhouette, helping it blend into leaf margins.

Maße und Details

Länge: 2+ cm
Flügelspannweite: 4+ cm
Gewicht: 0.0001+ kg
Lebenserwartung: 1+ Jahre
Top Speed: 15 km/h
Gelegegröße: 100+
Brutzeit: 150+ Tage

Ernährung und Fütterung

Caterpillars feed on the foliage of various deciduous trees and shrubs, while adults feed on sweet substances like rotting fruit, tree sap, and nectar.

Altersunterschiede: Larvae feed strictly on leafy foliage of woody plants, whereas adults transition to a liquid diet of nectar, sap, and fermenting fruit juices.

Hauptnahrung

Oak leaves
Maple leaves
Apple leaves
Tree sap
Overripe fruit
Flower nectar

Nahrungssuche

Foraging

Ökologische Zusammenhänge

host plant

White Oak

Quercus alba

Caterpillars feed heavily on the leaves of this tree species during spring.

host plant

Red Maple

Acer rubrum

Larvae use the foliage of this deciduous tree as a primary food source.

eaten by

Eastern Screech-Owl

Megascops asio

This nocturnal bird hunts and feeds on adult moths during their late summer flight period.

eaten by

Big Brown Bat

Eptesicus fuscus

Uses echolocation to capture adult underwing moths mid-flight during the night.

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Sicherheit

Gefahr

1/5 · Sehr gering

Noch keine besonderen Sicherheitshinweise.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

Wie identifiziert man American Copper Underwing?

Der einfachste Weg, American Copper Underwing zu bestimmen, ist die Verwendung der Naturführer-App Snappit.

Was ist der/die/das länge von American Copper Underwing?

2+ cm

Was ist der/die/das flügelspannweite von American Copper Underwing?

4+ cm

Was ist der/die/das gewicht von American Copper Underwing?

0.0001+ kg

Was ist der/die/das lebenserwartung von American Copper Underwing?

1+ Jahre

Was ist der/die/das top Speed von American Copper Underwing?

15 km/h

Was frisst American Copper Underwing?

Caterpillars feed on the foliage of various deciduous trees and shrubs, while adults feed on sweet substances like rotting fruit, tree sap, and nectar.

Wo findet man American Copper Underwing normalerweise?

Found in deciduous forests, suburban gardens, orchards, and parks across North America where larval host plants are abundant.