Wavy-lined Heterocampa Moth
Cecrita biundata
While adult moths rely on exquisite bark-like camouflage, their caterpillars are masters of disguise, often mimicking damaged leaf edges to hide from hungry birds.
- Scientific name
- Cecrita biundata
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Lepidoptera › Notodontidae › Cecrita
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Deciduous and mixed forests, woodlots, and suburban areas near host trees.
- Diet
- Caterpillars feed on the foliage of deciduous trees (especially maples, oaks, birches, and elms). Adults have vestigial mouthparts and do not feed.
- Range
- Eastern North America, Southern Canada, Great Lakes Region, Gulf Coast United States
- Size
- Wingspan of 3.2 to 4.5 cm (1.25 to 1.75 inches)
- Lifespan
- 1 year (with adults living only 5 to 10 days)
- Active
- nocturnal
- Threats
- Light pollution disrupting mating cycles, widespread pesticide application, and loss of deciduous forest habitats.
- Safe to approach?
- Completely harmless to humans. You can safely observe this moth at close range. If it lands on you, enjoy the moment and let it fly away naturally; avoid grasping its wings, as rubbing off their delicate scales can impair its flight.
Cecrita biundata , the wavy-lined heterocampa , is a species of moth in the family Notodontidae (the prominents). It was first described by Francis Walker in 1855 and it is found in North America.
Photo: John P Friel, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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