Insect
Brown-shaded Gray
Iridopsis defectariaAlso known as Brown-shaded Gray Moth
Brown-shaded grays rest completely flat against tree trunks with their wings spread wide, relying on intricate mottled bark patterns to vanish from visual predators. The twig-mimicking caterpillars feed on a variety of native deciduous trees before pupating in leaf litter on the forest floor. Multiple overlapping generations emerge throughout the warmer months, making them a staple nocturnal presence across eastern and central woods.
NocturnalCamouflagedForest Dweller
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyOak foliage, Cherry leaves, Willow foliage
Predators
- Insectivorous bats
- Songbirds
- Spiders
ThreatsArtificial light pollution, broad-spectrum insecticides, and habitat fragmentation
HabitatsDeciduous woodlands, mixed hardwood forests, and suburban tree canopies
Life span1 year total life cycle; adults live 1–2 weeks
Classification
- OrderLepidoptera
- FamilyGeometridae
- GenusIridopsis
- SpeciesIridopsis defectaria
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Night Lighting: Hang an ultraviolet or white sheet near woodland margins on humid, overcast nights to draw them in.
- Daytime Searching: Check textured oak and cherry bark at eye level where resting adults press flat during daylight.
Host Plant (c) Alicia Ballard, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Host Plant (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Predator (c) Fyn Kynd, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) christine123, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by christine123 · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Laura Gaudette, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Found in Collections
Species set
Moonlight Marvels
Brown-shaded Gray is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
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