GREEN-PATCHED LOOPER
Diachrysia balluca
OWLET MOTH FAMILY (Noctuidae)
Description
This moth has a wingspan of approximately 1 1/8 -1 3/4 inches. The face is yellow-gold and hairy. The forewings are a patchwork of metallic bronze, green and gold colors. The strip along the costa and the basal area are pearl gray. The forewing apex is pointed. The hindwing is plain brown with a tan fringe. This moth was identified by volunteer experts at BugGuide. The caterpillar is green and white with wart-like bumps and sparse whitish hairs. It grows to 1.5 inches.
Occurrence
The frequency of occurrence in Fontenelle Forest is not known, but it has been photographed at the nature center in mid-August and early September.
Comments
Another common name is Hologram Moth. The larval food plants are hops, wood nettle and raspberry. It winters as a middle-instar caterpillar.
Disclaimer: The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Nature Association who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page
is: Loren Padelford.
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