COPPER UNDERWING

Amphipyra pyramidoides

OWLET MOTH FAMILY (Noctuidae)

This moth has a wingspan of  1 1/2 to 2 inches.  The proximal 2/3 of the forewing is dark brown and the distal 1/3 is a paler brown and is separated by a squiggly white line.  There is a prominent white orbicular spot on each forewing.  The hindwing is a plain coppery orange color.  The underwing is rarely visible as the moths usually keep the forewings together.  This is not a true “Underwing” moth (Catocala) which has black-banded or all black underwings.  This moth was identified by Bob Patterson with the Moth Photographers Group.

This is a common nocturnal moth.  The individual shown here was attracted to artificial lights near the Wetlands Center in early July. 

The larva, the Pyramidal Green Fruitworm, is light green with pale white spots.  The most noticeable thing about it is the large pyramid-shaped dorsal hump on the 8th abdominal segment.  The larvae feed on leaves of many broadleaf trees and shrubs including basswood, hawthorne, oak, walnut, and grape.  There is one generation a year.  Adult females lay eggs in late fall, which overwinter.