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.

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

外見

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.

界Animalia門Arthropoda綱Insecta目Lepidoptera科Noctuidae属Amphipyra

American Copper Underwing

カテゴリ

昆虫

レア度

Common

危険度

1/5 · 非常に低い

スナップ

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おもしろい事実

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.

特殊能力

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.

サイズと詳細

長さ: 2+ cm
翼開長: 4+ cm
体重: 0.0001+ kg
寿命: 1+ 年
Top Speed: 15 km/h
一度の産卵数: 100+
抱卵期間: 150+ 日

食性と食事

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

年齢による違い: Larvae feed strictly on leafy foliage of woody plants, whereas adults transition to a liquid diet of nectar, sap, and fermenting fruit juices.

主な食物

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

採餌方法

Foraging

生態系とのつながり

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.

特徴

このオブジェクトにはまだ特徴バッジが割り当てられていません。

別名

まだ別名はありません。

コレクション

テーマが追加されると、このオブジェクトのコレクションがここに表示されます。

安全性

危険度

1/5 · 非常に低い

まだ特別な安全上の注意はありません。

よくある質問

American Copper Underwingを見分けるには？

American Copper Underwingを識別する最も簡単な方法は、Snappit自然識別アプリを使用することです。

American Copper Underwingの長さは何ですか？

2+ cm

American Copper Underwingの翼開長は何ですか？

4+ cm

American Copper Underwingの体重は何ですか？

0.0001+ kg

American Copper Underwingの寿命は何ですか？

1+ 年

American Copper Underwingのtop Speedは何ですか？

15 km/h

American Copper Underwingは何を食べますか？

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

American Copper Underwingは通常どこに生息していますか？

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