# Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (*Noctua fimbriata*) The Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing is a beautiful moth with yellow and brown wings. It loves to fly around gardens and fields, especially at night when it's cooler. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Noctua_fimbriata_%28caterpillar%29_focus_stacking-20241118-RM-211015.jpg&width=800) Photo: Reinhold Möller Ermell, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Noctua_fimbriata_%28caterpillar%29_focus_stacking-20241118-RM-211015.jpg) ## Appearance The Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing has forewings that vary from brown, grey, or reddish-brown with intricate patterns, making it blend in with bark or leaves. Its striking feature is the hindwings, which are bright yellow with a wide, distinct black border, making it visually different from many other moths. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Noctuidae - **Genus:** Noctua ## Interesting facts - It tastes sweet flower nectar using special sensors on its tiny feet! - It uses a long, straw-like tongue to sip sweet nectar from deep inside flowers! - Its caterpillars are often called cutworms because they snip young plant stems! - This moth can "shiver" its wings really fast to warm up for night flights! ## Special abilities - **Surprise Flash:** Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing has bright yellow hindwings that helps them startle predators with a sudden flash of color. - **Nature's Camouflage:** Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing has drab, patterned forewings that help them blend perfectly with tree bark and foliage during the day. - **Night Navigator:** Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing can fly and find food in the dark because of its specialized large eyes and keen senses. - **Scent Seeker:** Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing has feathery antennae that helps them detect distant flower scents and potential mates. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 45-60 mm - **Size:** 20-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 14-28 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip flower nectar; caterpillars munch on a variety of leafy plants. - **Age differences:** Caterpillars eat plant leaves and stems, while adult moths feed solely on liquid nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Dock leaves, Dandelion leaves, Plantain leaves, Grass - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-brown-bat) (*Myotis lucifugus*) — Moths are a common food source for nocturnal bats. - **Eaten by:** [European Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-robin) (*Erithacus rubecula*) — Birds prey on moths during their adult and larval stages. - **Eats:** [Greater Plantain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/greater-plantain) (*Plantago major*) — Caterpillars feed on the leaves of this common plant. - **Pollinates:** [Common Dandelion](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-dandelion) (*Taraxacum officinale*) — Adult moths visit flowers, transferring pollen as they feed. ## Traits - [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. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [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 usually safe to watch, but don't touch them as they can be delicate. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing? 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 Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing's wingspan? 45-60 mm ### How big is Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing? 20-25 mm ### How long does Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing live? 14-28 days ### What does Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing eat? Adults sip flower nectar; caterpillars munch on a variety of leafy plants. ### Where is Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing usually found? Grasslands ### How does Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Wildpark Bruderhaus](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/wildpark-bruderhaus) — Zurich, CH · Zoo ## 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: [Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/broad-bordered-yellow-underwing)