Amphipoea americana

Speyer, 1875

American ear moth, Eastern American Ear Moths

Amphipoea americana, commonly known as the American ear , is a noctuid moth first described by Adolph Speyer in 1875. The species exhibits broad transcontinental distribution across northern North America. are active during late summer months, with larvae feeding on grasses, sedges, and occasionally corn roots.

Amphipoea americana by Allan Harris. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Amphipoea americana: //æmˌfaɪˈpiːə əˌmɛrɪˈkeɪnə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

The can be distinguished from similar Amphipoea species by its geographic distribution and period. The specific epithet americana and the "American ear " reflect its North American range. A. americana pacifica occurs in western .

Images

Appearance

have a wingspan of 28–35 mm.

Habitat

Found in northern United States and southern Canada, ranging west to California and east to Georgia. Also present in Northwest Territories. include grasslands, agricultural areas, and other environments supporting larval plants.

Distribution

Transcontinental in northern North America: coast to coast in northern United States and southern Canada; Northwest Territories; south to California in the west and Georgia in the east.

Seasonality

are on wing from July to September, with timing varying by location.

Diet

Larvae feed on grasses (Poaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), and sometimes on the roots of corn (Zea mays).

Life Cycle

Complete with , larval, pupal, and stages. Larval stage feeds on plants; adult occurs in late summer.

Ecological Role

Larvae function as herbivores in grassland and agricultural . The has been documented as an occasional pest of corn.

Human Relevance

Occasional agricultural pest due to larval feeding on corn roots. Otherwise minimal direct human interaction.

Similar Taxa

  • Other Amphipoea speciesSimilar ; distinguished by geographic range and subtle morphological differences

More Details

Subspecies

Two recognized: Amphipoea americana americana (eastern) and Amphipoea americana pacifica (western).

Sources and further reading