# Soybean Looper Moth (*Chrysodeixis includens*) The Soybean Looper Moth is a small, colorful moth that loves to flutter around gardens and fields. It has beautiful green and brown wings that help it blend in with leaves. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Fields and gardens ![Soybean Looper Moth](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Pseudoplusia_includens.jpg&width=800) Photo: Russ Ottens, University of Georgia, United States, CC BY 3.0 us · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pseudoplusia_includens.jpg) ## Appearance The Soybean Looper Moth has mottled brown and gray forewings, often featuring a distinctive silver Y-mark or two silver spots near the center. Its hindwings are plain brown, fading to a lighter color near the base. This camouflage helps it blend seamlessly with bark and dried leaves. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Noctuidae - **Genus:** Chrysodeixis ## Interesting facts - Adult moths don't eat solid food; they sip nectar with a straw-like mouth! - Even though they look simple, these moths can travel hundreds of miles! - Female moths lay hundreds of tiny eggs, often on the undersides of plant leaves. - Their caterpillars can munch through an entire field of soybeans very quickly! ## Special abilities - **Silver Signature:** Soybean Looper Moth has a unique silvery Y-mark on its forewings that helps scientists identify it quickly. - **Night Navigator:** Soybean Looper Moth can fly and find food in the dark because it uses its antennae and sensitive eyes to navigate. - **Mimic Master:** Soybean Looper Moth has cryptic coloration that helps it blend perfectly with its surroundings, avoiding predators. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 30-40 mm - **Size:** 10-18 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-20 days - **Flight Speed:** 8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adult moths sip nectar; caterpillars are plant-eaters, especially soybeans. - **Age differences:** Larvae (caterpillars) eat plant leaves, while adults only sip liquid nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Glycine max (Soybeans), Gossypium hirsutum (Cotton), Arachis hypogaea (Peanuts), Phaseolus vulgaris (Beans), Pisum sativum (Peas), Trifolium pratense (Clover) - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Soybean](https://www.snappit.app/explore/soybean) (*Glycine max*) — Caterpillars consume leaves. - **Eats:** [Cotton](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cotton) (*Gossypium hirsutum*) — Caterpillars feed on foliage. - **Parasitizes:** Parasitic Wasp (*Trichogramma pretiosum*) — Lays eggs inside moth eggs. - **Eaten by:** [Red Imported Fire Ant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-imported-fire-ant) (*Solenopsis invicta*) — Ants prey on larvae. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Don't touch moths or caterpillars, as some can be delicate or may have tiny hairs that can irritate your skin. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Soybean Looper Moth? Compare resting wing shape, forewing markings, antennae and body build. Small brown moths can hinge on fine details a phone photo can't always catch. Moth Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Soybean Looper Moth's wingspan? 30-40 mm ### How big is Soybean Looper Moth? 10-18 mm ### How long does Soybean Looper Moth live? 10-20 days ### How fast can Soybean Looper Moth fly? 8 km/h ### What does Soybean Looper Moth eat? Adult moths sip nectar; caterpillars are plant-eaters, especially soybeans. ### Where is Soybean Looper Moth usually found? Fields and gardens ### How does Soybean Looper Moth hunt? Foraging ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Soybean Looper Moth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/soybean-looper-moth)