Bug FAQLarge Looper Moth
Autographa ampla · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Noctuidae
The large looper moth has a wingspan of about 38 to 42 mm. Adults fly from June through August, depending on where they live. There is a single generation each year.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Its wingspan ranges from 38 to 42 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
The moth produces one generation each year.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults are on the wing between June and August, varying with location.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
The species is native to North America, spanning from eastern Canada to the western United States.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 30 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Oregon, Colorado, Michigan, Montana, Vermont, Washington, Minnesota, New Hampshire.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in United States; native in Canada. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
When can I see adult large looper moths?
Adults are active from June through August, depending on where you are.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Noctuidae)
Ipsilon Dart MothAgrotis ipsilonDamages trees, gardens or crops
Fall Armyworm MothSpodoptera frugiperdaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Army Cutworm MothEuxoa auxiliarisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Large Yellow UnderwingNoctua pronubaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Silver ΥAutographa gamma
American DaggerAcronicta americanaCan irritate skinSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autographa_ampla
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-24 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-24.