Aurelia aurita

Aurelia aurita

The moon jellyfish is a beautiful sea creature with a soft, jelly-like body. It glows in the water and can be found floating in oceans around the world. They are harmless and fascinating to watch!

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Aurelia aurita is a delicate insect with a flattened, almost circular body that can appear translucent or pale blue. Its four large, iridescent wings are marked with subtle concentric rings, setting it apart from other flying insects. It possesses long, slender antennae.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumCnidariaClassScyphozoaOrderSemaeostomeaeFamilyUlmaridaeGenusAurelia
Aurelia aurita
solitary trait badgecolorful trait badgefilter_feeder trait badgecoastal trait badge
Aurelia aurita

Category

Invertebrate

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Even without a brain, Aurelia aurita can navigate long distances using Earth's magnetic field!

If threatened, this insect can squirt a glowing, harmless liquid to confuse attackers!

They lay their eggs in a special silk pouch, which then floats like a tiny boat!

This insect can 'smell' flowers from over a kilometer away using its super-sensitive antennae!

Special abilities

Ability

Chameleon Camouflage

Aurelia aurita can subtly shift its body coloration to match its surroundings, because of special skin cells that help them hide from predators.

Ability

Luminous Glow

Aurelia aurita has bio-luminescent patches on its wings that help them attract mates or warn off rivals in low light conditions.

Ability

Sonic Sensing

Aurelia aurita can detect faint vibrations in the air using specialized hairs, that helps them sense approaching predators or prey.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
30-60 mm
Size
15-30 mm
Lifespan
60-120 days
Flight Speed
15 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Aurelia aurita sips nectar from flowers and enjoys juicy aphids, keeping plants healthy.

Age differences: Larvae feed on decaying plant matter, while adults prefer nectar and small insects.

Primary Foods

  • flower nectar
  • tree sap
  • aphids
  • pollen

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

Moon Jellyfish

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always stay at a safe distance from jellyfish when swimming.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Aurelia aurita's wingspan?

30-60 mm

How big is Aurelia aurita?

15-30 mm

How long does Aurelia aurita live?

60-120 days

How fast can Aurelia aurita fly?

15 km/h

What does Aurelia aurita eat?

Aurelia aurita sips nectar from flowers and enjoys juicy aphids, keeping plants healthy.

Where is Aurelia aurita usually found?

Coastal areas

How does Aurelia aurita hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Aurelia aurita have?

6

Snap Map

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Where to spot

More Invertebrate