# Bicolored Sallow (*Sunira bicolorago*) The Bicolored Sallow is a beautiful moth with bright yellow and brown colors. It flutters around at night and loves to visit flowers for nectar. This little insect is a wonderful part of nature's nighttime show! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 13 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Bicolored Sallow](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/-_9957_%E2%80%93_Sunira_bicolorago_%E2%80%93_Bicolored_Sallow_Moth_%2822450324123%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:-_9957_%E2%80%93_Sunira_bicolorago_%E2%80%93_Bicolored_Sallow_Moth_%2822450324123%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Bicolored Sallow has bright yellow forewings, often marked with a distinct reddish-brown band near the outer edge. Its hindwings are much paler, usually a dull whitish-yellow. This two-toned appearance helps distinguish it from other moths. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Noctuidae - **Genus:** Agrochola ## Interesting facts - Even though it's called a sallow, its brightest colors are often golden yellow! - Instead of sound, it uses pheromones to find a mate in the dark night. - Its caterpillars are picky eaters, munching only certain tree leaves. - This moth loves autumn, emerging when leaves start to turn golden! ## Special abilities - **Night Navigator:** Bicolored Sallow has excellent night vision that helps them fly safely and find flowers for nectar when it's dark outside. - **Nectar Straw:** Bicolored Sallow has a long, coiled proboscis that helps them sip sweet nectar from deep inside flowers like a tiny straw. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 30-40 mm - **Size:** 12-18 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-30 days - **Flight Speed:** 10 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip sweet flower nectar, while their young munch on leaves from various trees! - **Age differences:** Larvae feed on tree leaves, while adults drink nectar from flowers. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Maple leaves, Oak leaves, Birch leaves, Willow leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Red Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-maple) (*Acer rubrum*) — Caterpillars munch on its leaves. - **Eaten by:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-brown-bat) (*Myotis lucifugus*) — A common nocturnal predator of moths. - **Pollinates:** [Canada Goldenrod](https://www.snappit.app/explore/canada-goldenrod) (*Solidago canadensis*) — Adults visit its flowers for nectar. - **Eats:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Another important host plant for larvae. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low It's best to watch moths from a distance and not touch them, as they can be delicate. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Bicolored Sallow? Compare resting wing shape, forewing markings, antennae and body build. Small brown moths can hinge on fine details a phone photo can't always catch. Moth Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Bicolored Sallow's wingspan? 30-40 mm ### How big is Bicolored Sallow? 12-18 mm ### How long does Bicolored Sallow live? 10-30 days ### How fast can Bicolored Sallow fly? 10 km/h ### What does Bicolored Sallow eat? Adults sip sweet flower nectar, while their young munch on leaves from various trees! ### Where is Bicolored Sallow usually found? Forests ### How does Bicolored Sallow hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Buchanan State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/buchanan-state-forest) — Pennsylvania, US · Forest - [Chanticleer Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chanticleer-garden) — Pennsylvania, US · Botanical Garden - [Rosedale Park Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rosedale-park-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District [View all places to see Bicolored Sallow](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/bicolored-sallow) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Bicolored Sallow: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bicolored-sallow)