Amphipyra pyramidoides
Guenée, 1852
Copper Underwing, American Copper Underwing
A noctuid found across the United States and southern Canada, with active from July through October. The is , as . Larvae feed on leaves of broadleaf trees and shrubs, and are important prey for birds including eastern bluebirds. Adults are attracted to sites under bark in mid-summer.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Amphipyra pyramidoides: /ˌæm.fɪˈpaɪ.rə pɪˌræ.mɪˈdɔɪ.diːz/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Distinguished from similar Amphipyra by the coppery orange suffusion on the hindwings; the black cross line on the white hindwing is also a key mark. The larval hump on the eighth abdominal segment and the white spiracular line help separate caterpillars from other green noctuid larvae.
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Habitat
Associated with deciduous forests and wooded areas where plants grow. Larvae occur on broadleaf trees and shrubs. aggregate under loose bark and in sheltered locations during mid-summer.
Distribution
United States and southern Canada. Documented from Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan in Canada; Vermont and other US states.
Seasonality
on wing July through October depending on location. One per year. Larvae active in spring. Overwinters as .
Diet
Larvae feed on leaves of broadleaf trees and shrubs: apple (Malus), basswood (Tilia), hawthorn (Crataegus), maple (Acer), oak (Quercus), walnut (Juglans), raspberry (Rubus), grape (Vitis), and greenbrier (Smilax).
Host Associations
- Malus - larval food plantapple
- Tilia - larval food plantbasswood
- Crataegus - larval food planthawthorn
- Acer - larval food plantmaple
- Quercus - larval food plantoak; keystone plant for caterpillar production
- Juglans - larval food plantwalnut
- Rubus - larval food plantraspberry
- Vitis - larval food plantgrape
- Smilax - larval food plantgreenbrier
Life Cycle
. laid in late summer or fall; overwinter as eggs. Larvae emerge and feed in spring. When ready to pupate, larvae construct a shelter by rolling a leaf. occurs within the rolled leaf. eclose in mid-summer and aggregate under bark before dispersing. Adults active July–October.
Behavior
Larvae construct leaf-roll shelters for . Newly eclosed aggregate in groups under loose bark and in similar sheltered locations in mid-summer before becoming active.
Ecological Role
Larvae serve as significant prey for birds; documented as food for eastern bluebird nestlings. As a feeder on diverse broadleaf trees and shrubs, larvae contribute to nutrient cycling and are part of the supporting insectivorous birds. The ' association with oaks (Quercus) links it to keystone plant that disproportionately support caterpillar .
Human Relevance
Minor pest potential on fruit trees (apple, raspberry, grape) and ornamental shrubs, though not considered economically significant. Valued as a subject for science and ecological research on bird-insect . The has been used in studies demonstrating the importance of native plants for supporting caterpillar that feed bird nestlings.
Similar Taxa
- Amphipyra pyramideaSimilar dappled forewing pattern, but A. pyramidoides is distinguished by coppery orange suffusion on hindwings; A. pyramidea has more uniformly colored hindwings without the tone. Geographic ranges overlap but A. pyramidea is more widespread in the Old World.
- Other Amphipyra speciesHindwing coloration and pattern, particularly the suffusion and black cross line, are diagnostic for A. pyramidoides; other lack this combination.
More Details
Research significance
This was documented as prey for eastern bluebird nestlings in a large- science study (Kennedy, Ph.D. dissertation, University of Delaware), which contributed to understanding that caterpillars comprise more than one-third of prey in bird nestling diets. This finding supports the ecological importance of maintaining native plant communities to support caterpillar .