NORWICH — Spring doesn’t just herald the return of birds, frogs, and bees; it also signals the emergence of many native moths, which deserve some of the spotlight.
Enter the Infant Moth (Archiearis infans). Also called the First-born Geometer because of its early emergence, these diurnal (day-flying) moths can be found in the air as early as mid-March, even with snow still on the ground. They range from Alaska to Newfoundland, from the northern United States as far south as New Jersey and are associated with mountainous or boreal areas.
As small green caterpillars, Infant Moths spend their time chowing down on their host plants: mainly birch trees, but also alder, willow, and poplar. When it comes time for them to pupate, they create a cocoon from tree bark and other debris and settle in for the long winter. In the spring they emerge as inconspicuous, mottled brown adults; but beneath those seemingly ordinary forewings are dazzling orange hind-wings that can be seen during their rapid flight.
Like many butterflies, these moths can often be found “puddling” or sipping nutrients from moist soils, seeps (muddy areas where groundwater has surfaced) or even animal dung. The adults will lay their eggs on the branches of their host plant, and when the caterpillars hatch a short time later, the cycle starts all over again!
The Joker (Feralia jocosa)
The Half-wing Moth (Phigalia titea) is another rather inconspicuous, early-flying moth that overwinters as pupae. But look closely! While the male moths have fully functioning wings, the females are flightless and only have vestigial wing buds. They must therefore await a mate right where they emerge from pupation.
And while plants begin to green up in the spring, so do some of the moths. The Joker (the moth, not Batman’s nemesis) is a beautiful example. With green wings that resemble lichen, these moths prefer coniferous host plants for overwintering as pupae.
Amber Jones is a staff member of the Vermont Center of Ecostudies in Norwich.
Amber Jones
Amber Jones is a staff member of the Vermont Center of Ecostudies in Norwich.
