# Black-dotted Ruddy Moth (*Ilexia intractata*) The Black-dotted Ruddy Moth is a small, colorful moth with beautiful patterns. It has black dots on its wings that make it look like it's wearing a fancy coat! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Urban areas, gardens ![Black-dotted Ruddy Moth](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ilexia_intractata_-_Bill_Sheehan_-_580573511.jpeg&width=800) Photo: Bill Sheehan, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ilexia_intractata_-_Bill_Sheehan_-_580573511.jpeg) ## Appearance The Black-dotted Ruddy Moth has a distinctive warm reddish-brown body and forewings, which are covered with scattered, small black spots. Its hindwings are typically plainer and a lighter, duller brown, creating a subtle contrast. This coloration helps it visually blend with dried leaves and tree bark. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Geometridae - **Genus:** Ilexia ## Interesting facts - Adult Black-dotted Ruddy Moths only live a few weeks, focusing all energy on laying eggs! - Its caterpillar stage looks completely different, often green and blends with leaves! - Some moths can even 'hear' bats coming and quickly drop to safety mid-flight! - This moth feels vibrations through tiny hairs on its body, even without ears! ## Special abilities - **Spotty Camouflage:** Black-dotted Ruddy Moth has a ruddy color and black spots that help it blend seamlessly with tree bark and dried leaves, hiding from predators. - **Night Nectar Sipper:** Black-dotted Ruddy Moth can unfurl a long proboscis to drink sweet nectar from deep flowers, especially active under the cover of darkness. - **Vibration Detection:** Black-dotted Ruddy Moth has sensitive antennae that help it detect subtle air movements from predators or find mates in the dark. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-40 mm - **Size:** 10-18 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-20 days - **Flight Speed:** 10 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding As caterpillars, they munch on tree leaves; as adults, they sip sweet nectar from flowers. - **Age differences:** Larvae (caterpillars) feed on tree leaves, while adult moths feed on nectar and sometimes tree sap. - **Primary Foods:** nectar, tree leaves, plant sap - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-brown-bat) (*Myotis lucifugus*) — Bats are primary nocturnal predators of moths. - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Birds often catch moths during the day or at dawn. - **Pollinates:** [Canada Goldenrod](https://www.snappit.app/explore/canada-goldenrod) (*Solidago canadensis*) — Adult moths visit goldenrod flowers for sweet nectar. - **Eats:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Caterpillars feed on the leaves of oak trees. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [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. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [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 Moths are harmless and fun to watch, but it's best to look without touching. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Black-dotted Ruddy Moth? 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 Black-dotted Ruddy Moth's wingspan? 25-40 mm ### How big is Black-dotted Ruddy Moth? 10-18 mm ### How long does Black-dotted Ruddy Moth live? 10-20 days ### How fast can Black-dotted Ruddy Moth fly? 10 km/h ### What does Black-dotted Ruddy Moth eat? As caterpillars, they munch on tree leaves; as adults, they sip sweet nectar from flowers. ### Where is Black-dotted Ruddy Moth usually found? Urban areas, gardens ### How does Black-dotted Ruddy Moth hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Abbeville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/abbeville-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District ## 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: [Black-dotted Ruddy Moth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-dotted-ruddy-moth)