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Blackberry Looper

Chlorochlamys chloroleucaria

Chlorochlamys chloroleucaria, commonly known as the Blackberry Looper Moth, is a small moth species found throughout North America. Its wingspan ranges from 1-2 inches, and its forewings are a distinct green color with a thin black border. The hindwings are white with a grayish-brown border.

The Blackberry Looper Moth is named after its preferred food source, blackberry bushes. The caterpillars of this species are known as loopers because they move in an inchworm-like motion. They are green with white stripes and have a habit of curling up into a loop when disturbed, which helps them blend in with the foliage. The adult moths are nocturnal and are attracted to light sources.

A fun fact about the Blackberry Looper Moth is that it has been used as a bioindicator for air pollution. The presence of this species in an area indicates that the air quality is good, as it is sensitive to pollutants and will not thrive in polluted environments.

Habitat
forests, fields, and gardens
Scientific Name
Chlorochlamys chloroleucaria
Wing Span
14mm to 23mm
General Size
Small
Wing Color
green
green
Marking's Color
yellow
yellow
white
white
Markings Pattern
Stripes / Straight Lines

Characteristics describe the physical and behavioral traits that distinguish a species from others. This section helps readers identify and differentiate between similar species, aiding in species identification and reducing the chance of misidentification.

Identifying Characteristics

  1. Two gold/yellow lines cross the wing

  2. The shorter line curves around the ‘shoulder’ area

  3. Gold border around wings

  4. Thin line runs down abdomen and thorax

The chart displays the months of the year on the x-axis and observations of a particular species on the y-axis, indicating the time of year when each species is most commonly observed. This chart can assist moth watchers and researchers in predicting the best times and locations to observe specific moth species.

A range map is a visual representation of a species' geographical distribution, and it helps naturalists and field researchers quickly determine if a species is likely to be found in a given area, aiding in identification, conservation, and habitat management efforts.