# Brown-tail Moth (*Euproctis chrysorrhoea*) The Brown-tail Moth is a fuzzy little insect with a soft, brown body and white markings. It loves to flutter around gardens and forests, especially in the summer when it's warm. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Brown-tail Moth](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Euproctis_chrysorrhoea_%28Linnaeus%252C_1758%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Alvesgaspar ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Euproctis_chrysorrhoea_%28Linnaeus%252C_1758%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Brown-tail Moth is a pure white moth with a distinctive, fluffy reddish-brown tuft of hair at the tip of its abdomen, resembling a small tail. Both sexes have pure white wings, but the male is typically smaller. It is quite uniform in color except for its striking 'tail'. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Erebidae - **Genus:** Euproctis ## Interesting facts - Adult Brown-tail Moths don't have mouths for eating; they live off energy stored from their caterpillar days! - Caterpillars build cozy silk tents where hundreds can safely overwinter together before emerging in spring! - Female moths protect their eggs by covering them with hairs from their own fuzzy brown 'tail'! - These moths are attracted to bright lights at night, making them easier for people to spot in summer! ## Special abilities - **Irritating Hairs:** Brown-tail Moth has microscopic barbed hairs that cause itchy rashes if touched, helping deter predators. - **Webbed Nests:** Brown-tail Moth caterpillars can build large, silken communal nests, offering protection from predators and winter cold. - **Chemical Defense:** Brown-tail Moth caterpillars can sequester plant toxins, making them unpalatable to most predators when eaten. - **Nocturnal Flight:** Brown-tail Moth can fly silently at night using stored energy, allowing them to find mates and lay eggs safely. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 35-45 mm - **Size:** 12-18 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding As caterpillars, they munch on leaves; as adults, they don't eat! - **Age differences:** Adult moths do not feed, relying on energy reserves accumulated during their larval (caterpillar) stage. - **Primary Foods:** Oak leaves, Hawthorn leaves, Apple tree leaves, Willow leaves, Elm leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** Pedunculate Oak (*Quercus robur*) — Caterpillars feed on its leaves. - **Depends on:** Common Hawthorn (*Crataegus monogyna*) — Caterpillars often feed on hawthorn. - **Eaten by:** Common Cuckoo (*Cuculus canorus*) — Cuckoos are one of few birds that eat its caterpillars. - **Parasitizes:** Parasitic Tachinid Fly (*Compsilura concinnata*) — Its larvae develop inside Brown-tail Moth caterpillars. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [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:** 2/5 · Low It's best to look at moths from afar and not touch them, especially the caterpillars. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Brown-tail 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 Brown-tail Moth's wingspan? 35-45 mm ### How big is Brown-tail Moth? 12-18 mm ### How long does Brown-tail Moth live? 10-14 days ### How fast can Brown-tail Moth fly? 15 km/h ### What does Brown-tail Moth eat? As caterpillars, they munch on leaves; as adults, they don't eat! ### Where is Brown-tail Moth usually found? Forests ### How does Brown-tail Moth hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Harraseeket Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/harraseeket-historic-district) — Maine, US · Historic District - [Mount Hope Cemetery](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mount-hope-cemetery) — Maine, US · Historic Site ## 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: [Brown-tail Moth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-tail-moth)