Laugher Moth
Charadra deridens
Its common name comes from the pattern on its forewings, which often resembles a laughing or distorted human-like face to confuse predators.
- Scientific name
- Charadra deridens
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Lepidoptera › Noctuidae › Charadra
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Deciduous and mixed woodlands, particularly those with abundant oak, birch, and beech trees.
- Diet
- Larvae feed on the foliage of oak, birch, elm, and maple; adults primarily drink nectar from nocturnal flowers.
- Range
- Eastern North America, Southern Canada, Texas, Florida
- Size
- Wingspan typically ranges between 38 and 48 millimeters.
- Lifespan
- Approximately 1 year through a full life cycle from egg to adult.
- Active
- nocturnal
- Threats
- Light pollution disrupting mating and navigation, and habitat loss due to deforestation.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and docile. Safe to observe at close range. Avoid handling the fuzzy caterpillars directly with bare hands, as their hairs can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals. If contact occurs, wash the area with soap and water.
Charadra deridens ( laugher or marbled tuffet moth ) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba in Canada, through most of the United States except the south-western states.
Photo: no rights reserved, CC0, via iNaturalist
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