The Decorated Owlet moth has full wings that do not fail to intrigue thanks to its medley of colors and patterns.
Though it is not in the family, Decorated Owlet moths have big, rounded hindwings, giving them a shape more similar to Geometer moths than their own kind. The forewings are only slightly larger than the hindwings, giving it a compact shape. The colors on the top of the wings are different from the underside. On top, dark brown middle bands have gray or purple patches under them. A black dot sits near the body on each upper hindwing. Some individuals have bolder marbling and more gray. Others are dark brown with an orange-brown border by the fringe. The underside of the wings is pale and gray with golden brown lines that cross it. Regardless of hue and contrast, all individual Decorated Owlets live up to their common name.
Caterpillars of this moth feed on the leaves of blueberry plants that are grown in sandy soil. It is plump and green with a green head that has a pair of black lines by the eyes. This moth is active in summer.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Arthropoda
Class:Insecta
Order:Lepidoptera
Family:Erebidae
Genus:Pangrapta
Species:decoralis
Identifying Information
Scientific Name: Pangrapta decoralis
Category:
Butterfly or Moth
Size (Adult; Length): 11mm to 15mm (0.43in to 0.59in)
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: brown; purple; yellow; tan
