celery looper
(Anagrapha falcifera)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Biology • Distribution • Taxonomy
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Description |
Celery looper is a medium-sized moth that is active both day and night. There are two forms, a gray form and a brown form. The gray form is more common early in the season. The antennae are not feathered. The outer margin, leading edge (costal margin), and base of the forewing of the gray form is light gray to brownish-gray. The inner margin is conspicuously indented at the postmedian region. There is a large, rectangular, dark brown patch in the median portion. The stigma is a curved, silvery-white bar that forms a loop at the end. The upper arm of the stigma is a short spur. The lower arm extends to the inner margin of the wing along the basal edge of the dark patch. Beyond the stigma reddish spot is usually visible. The hindwing is reddish-brown or grayish-brown with a narrow, pale, postmedian region. The brown form is similar but has a dark reddish-brown forewing with paler, grayish-brown outer margin and basal regions. |
Size |
Wingspan: 1¼″ to 1 9 ⁄16″ |
Similar Species |
Habitat |
Meadows, pastures, crops, roadsides, and other open areas |
Biology |
Season |
May to September. Two or more generations per year. |
Behavior |
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Life Cycle |
Pupa overwinter in the soil and emerge in the spring when the temperature reaches 50°F. |
Larva Hosts |
Plantain (Plantago), viburnum (Viburnum), clover, and various crops. |
Adult Food |
Flower nectar |
Distribution |
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Sources 7, 21, 27, 29, 30, 71, 75, 82, 83. Biodiversity occurrence data published by: Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas (accessed through the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas Portal, bellatlas.umn.edu, 8/15/2025). |
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| 8/15/2025 | ||
Occurrence |
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Common and widespread. This is a serious pest on many crop species. |
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Taxonomy |
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Order |
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Superfamily |
Noctuoidea (owlet moths and allies) |
Family |
Noctuidae (cutworm moths and allies) |
Subfamily |
Plusiinae (looper moths) |
Tribe |
Plusiini |
Subtribe |
Plusiina |
Genus |
Anagrapha |
Subordinate Taxa |
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Synonyms |
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Anagrapha falcigera Anagrapha jota Anagrapha norma Anagrapha simplex Anagrapha simplicima |
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Common Names |
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celery looper |
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Glossary
Costal margin
The leading edge of the forewing of insects.
Stigma
In plants, the portion of the female part of the flower that is receptive to pollen. In Lepidoptera, an area of specialized scent scales on the forewing of some skippers, hairstreaks, and moths. In other insects, a thickened, dark, or opaque cell on the leading edge of the wing.
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Slideshows |
Anagrapha falcifera (Celery Looper) |
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Anagrapha falcifera - Celery Looper |
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Other Videos |
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Celery Looper Moth (Noctuidae: Anagrapha falcifera) in Grass |
About
Uploaded on Apr 21, 2010 Photographed at Grand Forks, North Dakota (21 April 2010). |
Celery Looper Moth (Noctuidae: Anagrapha falcifera) Lateral View |
About
Uploaded on Oct 13, 2011 Photographed at Grand Forks, North Dakota (09 October 2011). Thank you to Paul Dennehy (@Bugguide.net) for confirming the identity of this specimen! |
Celery Looper Moth (Noctuidae: Anagrapha falcifera) Displaying |
About
Uploaded on Sep 5, 2011 Photographed at the Turtle River State Park, North Dakota (05 September 2011). |
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Created: 7/24/2012 Last Updated: © MinnesotaSeasons.com. All rights reserved. |