Small, green Blackberry Loopers are about the same size as the dark fruit bearing their name.
A type of Emerald Moth, the Blackberry Looper is a bright green color. Two gold lines cross the wings; the shorter line curves around the 'shoulder' area. The entire wing is bordered with this gold color, with a golden fringe decorating the bottoms of the wings. The green body of the moth has a pale ivory line running down the center of the thorax and abdomen. Males have antennae that resemble combs; females do not.
Caterpillars are small and slender. The green body may have a line of purple running down its length. The larva can stiffen its body and cling to a branch with one end, projecting the other into the air, making it appear as if it was a newly sprouted twig. The crawling habit of this caterpillar creates loops with its body as it moves. It accomplishes this by thrusting its head forward and bringing its rear right behind the head, curling the rest of the body upward before propelling its head forward again. Blackberry Looper caterpillars eat blackberries and strawberries as well as the petals from asters, sunflowers, black-eyed susans and daisies.
Adults are nocturnal, but are attracted to lights at night. They are on the wing from spring through most of autumn. Two broods can be produced each year.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Arthropoda
Class:Insecta
Order:Lepidoptera
Family:Geometridae
Genus:Chlorochlamys
Species:chloroleucaria
Identifying Information
Scientific Name: Chlorochlamys chloroleucaria
Category:
Butterfly or Moth
Size (Adult; Length): 14mm to 23mm (0.55in to 0.90in)
Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed above as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.
Butterfly and Moth Anatomy
1
Antennae: Butterflies and Moths have a pair of antennae on the head used as sensors.
2
Head: The head is home to the insect's eyes, antennae, and proboscis.
3
Thorax: Home to the three pairs of legs as well as vital internal organs.
4
Abdomen: Contains vital internal organs such as the heart(s) and reproduction facilities.
5
Forewing: The upper, forward wing pair used for flying.
6
Hindwing: The lower, rearward wing pair used for flying.
NOTE: Butterflies and Moths are part of the Lepidopteran order as they share many similarities.
Colors: green, gold, yellow
