Giant Leopard Moth

Giant Leopard Moth

Hypercompe scribonia

Least Concern

Quick Facts

Kingdom: Animalia
Abundance: Common
Habitat: Forest, Grassland, Urban
Activity: Nocturnal (Active at night)

An elusive but beautifully patterned moth. The giant leopard moth is a large white moth that is easy to identify. The forewings have numerous black spots, many with hollow (white) centers. Some of the dark markings are iridescent blue in the light. The hindwing is shaded with black along the inner edge and has spots near the outer tip. The caterpillar is of the “woolly bear” kind, with a thick coat of black bristles and red or orange bands between its segments.

Diet

larvae feed on a great variety of broad-leaved plants, including banana, cabbage, cherry, dandelion, maple, orange, sunflower, violet, willow

Activity Pattern

Nocturnal (Active at night)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arhtropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Erebidae
Genus: Hypercompe
Species: Hypercompe scribonia

Scientific Name

Hypercompe scribonia

Behavior

Adult moths are strictly nocturnal and do not generally fly before nightfall. When most people see giant leopard moths, they are usually seeing males that are attracted to lights at night.

Ecological Role

Moths are important pollinators and their larvae are food for birds and other animals

Activity Pattern

Nocturnal (Active at night)

Habitat Types

Forest
Grassland
Urban

Geographic Distribution

They are distributed through North America from southern Ontario, and southern and eastern United States through New England, Mexico, and south to Colombia.

Local Abundance

Common

Conservation Status

Least Concern

This species is widespread and abundant. No immediate threat to survival.

How You Can Help

  • Report sightings to contribute to population monitoring
  • Support habitat conservation efforts
  • Follow guidelines when observing wildlife
No field notes or observations available for this species.

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