EntdeckenInsekten

Lithophane dilatocula

The Lithophane dilatocula is a special moth that can blend in with its surroundings. It has beautiful patterns on its wings that help it hide from predators during the day.

Lebensraum: Forests

Aussehen

The Lithophane dilatocula has mottled grey-brown forewings with cryptic patterns, closely resembling tree bark, making it difficult to spot. Its hindwings are a paler grey. This moth's elongated, narrow forewings distinguish it from similar species.

ReichAnimaliaStammArthropodaKlasseInsectaOrdnungLepidopteraFamilieNoctuidaeGattungLithophane

Lithophane dilatocula

Kategorie

Insekten

Seltenheit

Common

Gefahr

1/5 · Sehr gering

Snaps

Mach den ersten Snap!

Interessante Fakten

Adult Lithophane dilatocula moths can live for many months, even through the winter!

Before they are moths, these insects munch on tree leaves as caterpillars!

Its scientific name, 'dilatocula,' means 'wide eye,' referring to a subtle wing marking.

This moth sips flower nectar using a long, straw-like tongue called a proboscis!

Besondere Fähigkeiten

Lithophane dilatocula has intricate wing patterns that help them blend perfectly with tree bark, making them almost invisible to predators.

Lithophane dilatocula can survive freezing winters as an adult moth by entering a dormant state, emerging when spring arrives.

Lithophane dilatocula has a long proboscis to reach deep nectar in flowers, providing them with essential energy for flight.

Maße und Details

Flügelspannweite: 35-45 mm
Größe: 15-22 mm
Lebenserwartung: 180-270 Tage
Fluggeschwindigkeit: 15 km/h
Anzahl der Beine: 6

Ernährung und Fütterung

Adult moths drink flower nectar; caterpillars munch on tree leaves.

Altersunterschiede: As caterpillars, they eat tree leaves; as adult moths, they drink nectar.

Hauptnahrung

flower nectar
oak leaves
maple leaves
birch leaves

Nahrungssuche

Foraging

Ökologische Zusammenhänge

eaten by

Blue Jay

Cyanocitta cristata

A common bird predator.

eats

Little Brown Bat

Myotis lucifugus

Hunts adult moths at night.

depends on

Red Oak

Quercus rubra

Larvae feed on its leaves.

depends on

Sugar Maple

Acer saccharum

Larvae also eat its leaves.

Merkmale

Einzelgänger

Einzelgänger leben den größten Teil ihres Lebens allein und interagieren mit Artgenossen nur zur Paarung oder zur Aufzucht der Jungen.

Getarnt

Getarnt beschreibt Organismen, die über eine Färbung oder Musterung verfügen, durch die sie mit ihrer Umgebung verschmelzen.

Pflanzenfressend

Dieses Merkmal kennzeichnet Lebewesen, deren Ernährung vollständig oder hauptsächlich aus pflanzlichem Material besteht.

Wald

Waldlebensräume sind terrestrische Lebensräume, die von dichtem Baumbestand dominiert werden und eine große Vielfalt an Pflanzen- und Tierarten beherbergen.