# Canadian Petrophila (*Petrophila canadensis*) The Canadian Petrophila is a special kind of moth that loves to flutter around near water. Its wings are beautiful and can be spotted in different colors, making it a lovely sight during summer evenings. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Canadian Petrophila](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Canadian_Petrophila_Moth_%28Petrophila_canadensis%29_-_London%252C_Ontario_2015-06-19.jpg&width=800) Photo: Ryan Hodnett, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Canadian_Petrophila_Moth_%28Petrophila_canadensis%29_-_London%252C_Ontario_2015-06-19.jpg) ## Appearance The Canadian Petrophila is a small, delicate moth, typically sporting white to pale cream wings often adorned with subtle brown or grayish markings. Its wings usually have a satiny sheen, making it blend well near water, and its slender body is also pale. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Crambidae - **Genus:** Petrophila ## Interesting facts - Adult Canadian Petrophila moths have a very short lifespan, sometimes lasting only a few days. - Its caterpillars are fully aquatic and spend their entire larval stage underwater! - Some species of Petrophila larvae build tube-like shelters made of silk and plant debris. - Unlike most moths, its larvae eat algae, scraping it off rocks in rivers and streams. ## Special abilities - **Underwater Breathing:** Canadian Petrophila larvae can breathe underwater because they have special tracheal gills, allowing them to live and feed entirely submerged. - **Rock Gripping:** Canadian Petrophila larvae have strong legs and hooks that help them cling tightly to rocks and submerged plants, preventing them from being swept away by currents. - **Silk Shelter Building:** Canadian Petrophila larvae can spin silken cases or tunnels because they produce silk, which shelters them from predators and helps them feed safely. - **Water-Repellent Wings:** Canadian Petrophila adults have tiny scales on their wings that repel water, helping them stay dry and fly effectively near humid aquatic environments. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 12-20 mm - **Size:** 6-10 mm - **Lifespan:** 5-10 days - **Flight Speed:** 8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Larvae munch on algae and tiny bits of plants found underwater. - **Age differences:** Larvae are aquatic herbivores, while adult moths typically have reduced mouthparts and do not feed. - **Primary Foods:** Filamentous algae, Diatoms, Submerged plant detritus - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Pond Scum (*Spirogyra fluctuata*) — Larvae feed on this filamentous algae found in water. - **Eaten by:** [Largemouth Bass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/largemouth-bass) (*Micropterus salmoides*) — Fish readily consume the aquatic larvae and pupae. - **Eaten by:** [Common Green Darner](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-green-darner) (*Anax junius*) — Dragonfly nymphs hunt aquatic larvae. ## Traits - [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. - [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. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [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 harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Canadian Petrophila? 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 Canadian Petrophila's wingspan? 12-20 mm ### How big is Canadian Petrophila? 6-10 mm ### How long does Canadian Petrophila live? 5-10 days ### How fast can Canadian Petrophila fly? 8 km/h ### What does Canadian Petrophila eat? Larvae munch on algae and tiny bits of plants found underwater. ### Where is Canadian Petrophila usually found? Wetlands ### How does Canadian Petrophila hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Garland Hill Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/garland-hill-historic-district) — Virginia, US · Historic District - [Ice Age Trail](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ice-age-trail) — Wisconsin, US · National Park - [Rock House Reservation](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rock-house-reservation) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [Golden Hill Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/golden-hill-historic-district) — Indiana, US · Historic District - [Historic Meridian Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/historic-meridian-park) — Indiana, US · Neighborhood - [Lower Basin Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lower-basin-historic-district) — Virginia, US · Historic District [View all places to see Canadian Petrophila](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/canadian-petrophila) ## 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: [Canadian Petrophila: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/canadian-petrophila)