The mossy green and brown colors on the Wavy-lined Heterocampa allow the adult to blend into the verdant foliage of its chosen host.
Wavy-lined Heterocampa Moths are a lovely shade of sage green. Green fringe-like hairs from the abdomen may stick out from under the sides of the wings. Two rows of tan or brown scalloped lines cross the forewings. A dark smudge appears on the lower part of them as well as a brown, bean-shaped spot. The lower part of the wings have small wedges of black color near the bottom. Antennae are comb-like. Familiar sights on the eastern part of the continent, Wavy-lined Heterocampas do well in long summers.
Caterpillars feed on the leaves of a variety of deciduous trees like apple, willow, birch, and hickory as well as on woody shrubs. They may be green or brown overall and have flat faces. The dorsal (top) side typically has white or yellow markings that may extend the length of the body, or just simply form a 'V' at the rear. A green 'X' may be be present at the center of the body. Red, brown, and orange colors also are also possible along the body, helping it look more like a dried out leaf. The rear end splits into a two-pronged fork, or 'tail'. Some individuals are unique in appearance thanks to a set of antlers, much like those seen on deer or elk, rising out of the body just behind the head. Two broods can be produced each year if the season is warm enough.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Arthropoda
Class:Insecta
Order:Lepidoptera
Family:Notodontidae
Genus:Heterocampa
Species:biundata
Identifying Information
Scientific Name: Heterocampa biundata
Category:
Butterfly or Moth
Size (Adult; Length): 25mm to 30mm (0.98in to 1.17in)
Colors: green, brown, black
Descriptors: wavy, scalloped, mossy green, comb antennae, black smudges, flying
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, brown, black
