Pale Beauty

The Pale Beauty's sculpted hindwings, misty green hues, and pearly luster complement each other in this comely moth.

Palest shades of green veil the wings and body of the Pale Beauty. Though individuals often vary is depth of color, females are generally larger than males. Two prominent lines cross the wings. The shorter line is near the head and its outer edges bend toward the moth's face. A darker, mossy green underlines it. The longer line crosses the lower half of all four wings with a similar dark, mossy green line above it. This species is found as far north as the Arctic, though it spends only a few weeks in the summer in that colder region. In the warmer, southern region, it is active from late spring through early autumn.

Females lay a clutch of round, yellow eggs that become red over a few days. Larvae are mimics of twigs and branches. Their slender bodies stretch along tree branches and form little loops as they inch their way around. A mottled brown color aids in camouflaging them among the bark and branches. Small hairs fringe the bottom edges of their bodies. These caterpillars feed on the leaves of various deciduous trees like alder, ash, beech, birch, elm, oak, poplar, and willow. Each year, one or two broods can be produced. The adult Pale Beauty can be found where host trees are growing, such as in forests and woodlands, both wild and developed.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Lepidoptera

Family: Geometridae

Genus: Campaea

Species: perlata

Identifying Information

Scientific Name: Campaea perlata

Other Name(s): Fringed Looper (caterpillar)

Category: Butterfly or Moth

Size (Adult; Length): 28mm to 51mm (1.09in to 1.99in)

Colors: green, white

Descriptors: white, line, flying

Territorial Map

Alaska

Hawaii

Prince Edward Is.

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Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic

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Territorial Reach (A-to-Z)

Newfoundland and Labrador

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

Graphic showing basic anatomy of a common North American butterfly and moth insect

Antennae: Butterflies and Moths have a pair of antennae on the head used as sensors.

Head: The head is home to the insect's eyes, antennae, and proboscis.

Thorax: Home to the three pairs of legs as well as vital internal organs.

Abdomen: Contains vital internal organs such as the heart(s) and reproduction facilities.

Forewing: The upper, forward wing pair used for flying.

Hindwing: The lower, rearward wing pair used for flying.

NOTE: Butterflies and Moths are part of the Lepidopteran order as they share many similarities.

Pale Beauty (Campaea perlata)

The Pale Beauty's sculpted hindwings, misty green hues, and pearly luster complement each other in this comely moth.