Allagrapha aerea
Hübner, 1803
Unspotted Looper Moth, Copper Looper Moth
A medium-sized noctuid found across eastern North America. fly from spring through early autumn, with two annually. Larvae are loopers that move with a characteristic looping gait.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Allagrapha aerea: /ˌæl.əˈɡræf.ə ˈeɪ.əˌriː.ə/
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Identification
Distinguished from similar loopers (Autographa, Chrysodeixis) by the lack of distinct silver or white spots on the forewings. The coppery-brown ground color separates it from the more grayish or greenish in the group. Genitalia examination may be required for definitive identification from closely related species.
Images
Appearance
Wingspan 28–42 mm. Forewings coppery to golden-brown with variable darker markings; lacks the distinct silver or white spots common in related loopers. Hindwings pale grayish-brown. Body slender, typical of plusiine moths.
Habitat
Open including fields, meadows, agricultural areas, and woodland edges. Associated with herbaceous vegetation.
Distribution
Eastern North America from southern Ontario south to the Florida Panhandle, west to western Nebraska.
Seasonality
active April through September; extends to October in southern portions of range. Two per year.
Diet
Larvae are feeders on herbaceous plants. Documented include stinging nettle (Urtica), flat-topped aster (Aster umbellatus), and soybeans (Glycine max).
Host Associations
- Urtica - larval food plantstinging nettle
- Aster umbellatus - larval food plantflat-topped aster
- Glycine max - larval food plantsoybeans
Life Cycle
Two per year. Larvae are loopers with reduced , moving with characteristic looping locomotion. likely occurs in soil or leaf litter, though specific details are not well documented.
Behavior
are and attracted to light. Larvae are solitary feeders.
Ecological Role
Larval herbivore; contributes to nutrient cycling. Occasional pest in soybean fields.
Human Relevance
Minor agricultural pest on soybeans. attracted to artificial light sources.
Similar Taxa
- Autographa speciesSimilar size and wing shape, but Autographa typically display prominent silver or white figure-eight or Y-shaped spots on forewings
- Chrysodeixis includensSoybean looper has more greenish-gray coloration and distinct silvery spot; more significant agricultural pest
More Details
Nomenclature
Originally described as Noctua aerea by Hübner in 1803; later transferred to Allagrapha.