Backyard Bugs. Jaret C. Daniels
Dobsonfly larvae are commonly used as fishing bait and sold commercially.
Butterflies and Moths (Order Lepidoptera)
Wavy-lined Emerald Moth
Size: Wingspan 0.5–0.65 inch
ID Tips: Wings green with fine scalloped, white lines
Range: Throughout the United States and southern Canada
This small moth is widespread and quite common across much of the United States and southern Canada. The delicate-looking adults are named for their uniform green coloration and fine white irregular lines. Like other geometer moths, the wavy-lined emerald holds its wings outstretched while at rest. They are commonly found at artificial lights where they are easy to photograph or closely inspect. The bizarre caterpillars are masters of disguise. Also called camouflaged loopers, they attach pieces of vegetation to their bodies; this helps them expertly blend in with the surrounding flowers on which they feed. Close inspection is needed to separate these tiny beasts from the blossoms.
Believe It or Not: The adorned larvae also occasionally sway back and forth, as if they were leaves gently blown by the wind. The resulting behavior helps to reinforce the nearly perfect deception.
The Beggar
Size: Wingspan 0.75–1.1 inches
ID Tips: Wings pale yellow with irregular dark spots; forewings rounded
Range: The eastern United States
This delicate moth has noticeably rounded wings and a somewhat weak, awkward flight. Overall, its appearance is quite unique and unlikely to be confused with any other moth. It is common in and near deciduous forests across eastern North America. Adults are regularly attracted to artificial lights at night. Unlike many other geometer moths, the beggar rests with its forewings held over the hind wings, forming the silhouette of an inverted heart. Few details are known about the moth’s ecology or behavior. While the larvae are reported to feed on violets and possibly maples, it is likely that it has many other hosts.
Believe It or Not: While the exact origin is not known, the moth’s odd name was possibly inspired by its irregular dark spots, which give the wings the appearance of tattered or hole-filled clothes.
Pale Beauty
Size: Wingspan 1.1–2.0 inches
ID Tips: Wings pale green with two dark-outlined pale stripes; hind wings with irregular borders and a stubby tail
Range: The northern two-thirds of the United States and all of Canada
Appropriately named, this small geometer moth has delicate wings that are pale green to almost whitish, and it holds its wings open while at rest. Common throughout much of the northern two-thirds of the United States and all of Canada, the adults are regularly attracted to artificial lights at night. It is a moth of forested habitats and adjacent open, shrubby habitats, although it can be regularly encountered in wooded subdivisions and urban parks. The elongated brown larvae feed on a wide array of trees and shrubs—from evergreens to broadleaved deciduous trees. Partially grown larvae overwinter. The pale beauty produces a single generation in northern latitudes and two farther south.
Believe It or Not: Unlike other geometer moth larvae, those of the pale beauty have unusual short hairs on the lower part of their bodies. This moplike fringe potentially helps aid in their defense, perhaps by breaking up the caterpillar’s silhouette.
Rosy Maple Moth
Size: Wingspan 1.2–2.0 inches
ID Tips: Fuzzy yellow body with bright pink-and-yellow wings
Range: The eastern United States
The flamboyantly colored rosy maple moth is unmistakable. Generally common in deciduous forests across much of the eastern United States, the amount of pink on its wings is actually quite variable, with some individuals being more yellow. There is also an all-pale yellow or white form with little or no pink markings. The adults are strongly attracted to artificial lights and rest with their wings folded over their back in a triangular tentlike fashion. If touched, the adults typically fall to the ground, curl their abdomen, and play dead temporarily. Male moths tend to be smaller and have narrower, more pointed forewings compared to females. As their name suggests, the larvae primarily feed on maple trees and are gregarious when young.
Believe It or Not: Despite its gaudy coloration common to many unpalatable species, the rosy maple moth is apparently not toxic to predators. Some biologists have speculated that the moths mimic the showy winged maple tree seeds that are surprisingly similar in appearance.
Underwing Moth
Size:Variable; wingspan 1.5–3.0 inches
ID Tips: Variable; forewings typically dark with barklike pattern and hind wings with colorful bands
Range: Throughout the United States
This is a highly distinctive and diverse group of moths with more than 100 species found in North America. Adults have stout bodies and dark, dull-colored forewings with mottled or barklike patterns that they hold over their back while at rest. As a result, they are highly camouflaged when sitting on tree trunks, a common location to find them during daylight hours. However, when disturbed, underwing moths quickly spread their wings to reveal much brighter hind wings below before flying off to a nearby tree. Colored with bands of red, pink, yellow, orange, and even white, this hind wing pattern, coupled with their rapid wing motion, may help to startle interested predators. The showy nature of this group has made them popular with collectors and naturalists alike. Active at night, underwing moths are commonly attracted to artificial lights or may readily be drawn to sugar baits.
Believe It or Not: Underwing moths have simple ears that enable them to hear the ultrasound of a night-hunting bat. This early detection helps them avoid capture; to do so, they either move away from the approaching bat or fly erratically.
Giant Leopard Moth
Size: Wingspan 2.5–3.5 inches
ID Tips: Large; elongated white forewings with a mix of solid black and hollow black spots
Range: The eastern United States
With its bold white-and-black pattern, there is absolutely no mistaking this striking insect. The sizable giant leopard moths are common at artificial lights. If disturbed, they often drop to the ground and temporarily play dead. When doing so, they curl up their plump abdomens to reveal a bold-orange-and-iridescent-blue pattern, likely serving to scare off potential predators. If further molested, the moth secretes acrid yellow droplets from glands in its thorax. The large larvae are deep black with bright red rings on their bodies. They have a broad host range, feeding on a wide assortment of different plants and may readily move from one species to another. Fully grown larvae may reach three inches in length