# Burnished Brass (*Diachrysia chrysitis*) The Burnished Brass is a beautiful moth with shiny, golden-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 - **Habitat:** Gardens and fields ![Burnished Brass](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Diachrysa_chrysalis01.jpg&width=800) Photo: Attribution · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Diachrysa_chrysalis01.jpg) ## Appearance The Burnished Brass is a distinctive moth with shimmering, metallic coppery-golden forewings that appear burnished. These brilliant wings are contrasted by darker brown patches and a frilly edge, making it stand out from plainer moths. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Noctuidae - **Genus:** Diachrysia ## Interesting facts - Even though it looks like metal, its wings are soft and covered in thousands of tiny scales! - Its scientific name "chrysitis" actually means "golden" because of its shiny wings! - Some moths can hear bats with special "ears," but this one relies on its quick flight! - The caterpillars love to munch on tough plants like nettles and thistles for energy. ## Special abilities - **Nectar Navigator:** Burnished Brass can sip sweet nectar with its long proboscis, providing energy to fly and find a mate. - **Shining Camouflage:** Burnished Brass has metallic-looking wings that help it blend with sun-dappled leaves, avoiding predators. - **Nocturnal Glider:** Burnished Brass can fly swiftly at dusk and night, allowing it to seek out flowers and lay eggs safely. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 35-42 mm - **Size:** 15-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 20-30 days - **Flight Speed:** 8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adult Burnished Brass sips nectar from flowers, while its caterpillars munch on leaves. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat plant leaves, while adults feed on nectar from flowers. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Nettle leaves, Thistle leaves, Mint leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Common pipistrelle (*Pipistrellus pipistrellus*) — Moths like Burnished Brass are a food source for these bats. - **Eats:** Stinging nettle (*Urtica dioica*) — Its caterpillars munch on nettle leaves to grow and develop. - **Eats:** [Creeping thistle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/creeping-thistle) (*Cirsium arvense*) — Larvae feed on thistle leaves, and adults drink its nectar. - **Eaten by:** [European robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-robin) (*Erithacus rubecula*) — Often preyed upon by insect-eating birds during the day. ## 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. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [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. - [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 observe, but it's best not to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Burnished Brass? 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 Burnished Brass's wingspan? 35-42 mm ### How big is Burnished Brass? 15-20 mm ### How long does Burnished Brass live? 20-30 days ### How fast can Burnished Brass fly? 8 km/h ### What does Burnished Brass eat? Adult Burnished Brass sips nectar from flowers, while its caterpillars munch on leaves. ### Where is Burnished Brass usually found? Gardens and fields ### How does Burnished Brass hunt? Foraging ## 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: [Burnished Brass: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/burnished-brass)