Variable Carpet Moth

Anticlea vasiliata

The Variable Carpet Moth is a small, fuzzy moth that loves to hide in soft places. Its wings can change colors, helping it blend in with its surroundings, making it a master of disguise!

Lebensraum: Urban areas

Aussehen

The Variable Carpet Moth is a small, stout-bodied moth with a wingspan of about 25-30mm. Its forewings display highly variable patterns, ranging from light brown or yellowish to mottled grey, often with distinct dark wavy lines or bands. This adaptability in coloration helps it blend seamlessly into different natural backgrounds.

ReichAnimaliaStammArthropodaKlasseInsectaOrdnungLepidopteraFamilieGeometridaeGattungAnticlea

Variable Carpet Moth

Kategorie

Insekten

Seltenheit

Common

Gefahr

1/5 · Sehr gering

Snaps

Mach den ersten Snap!

Interessante Fakten

Adult Variable Carpet Moths do not eat at all; they live off energy stored from their caterpillar stage!

Its caterpillars are called 'loopers' because they move by arching their bodies like a measuring tape!

The 'carpet' in its name comes from its family, Geometridae, whose larvae can sometimes be pests on plants.

Though nocturnal, these moths are often attracted to artificial lights, making them easier to spot!

Besondere Fähigkeiten

Variable Carpet Moth has highly variable wing patterns that helps them perfectly camouflage against bark and leaves.

Variable Carpet Moths can fly effectively in low light conditions because of their large eyes, helping them find mates.

Variable Carpet Moths can release invisible pheromones to attract mates over long distances, even in the dark.

Maße und Details

Flügelspannweite: 25-30 mm
Größe: 10-15 mm
Lebenserwartung: 10-20 Tage
Fluggeschwindigkeit: 8 km/h
Anzahl der Beine: 6

Ernährung und Fütterung

As caterpillars, they munch on leaves, but as adults, they don't eat at all!

Altersunterschiede: Caterpillars are herbivores, feeding on plant leaves. Adult moths do not feed.

Hauptnahrung

Birch leaves
Willow leaves
Hawthorn leaves
Blackthorn leaves

Nahrungssuche

Foraging

Ökologische Zusammenhänge

eaten by

Eurasian Blue Tit

Cyanistes caeruleus

Birds actively hunt both moth caterpillars and adults.

eaten by

Common Pipistrelle

Pipistrellus pipistrellus

Bats are nocturnal hunters and prey on flying adult moths.

eats

Silver Birch

Betula pendula

Caterpillars feed on the leaves of this common tree species.

eats

Goat Willow

Salix caprea

The moth's larvae commonly consume the foliage of willow trees.

Merkmale

Pelzig

Pelzig beschreibt Tiere, die eine dichte Schicht aus weichen Haaren oder Fell besitzen.

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.

Stadtangepasst

Dieses Lebensraummerkmal weist auf Arten hin, die in städtischen und vorstädtischen Umgebungen mit Menschen zusammenleben können und von Menschen geschaffene Strukturen sowie Grünflächen nutzen.