# Common Marble (*Syricoris lacunana*) The Common Marble is a small, colorful moth that flutters around gardens and fields. Its beautiful patterns make it a fun insect to spot during the day! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Common Marble](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Celypha.lacunana.-.lindsey.jpg&width=800) Photo: James K. Lindsey, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Celypha.lacunana.-.lindsey.jpg) ## Appearance The Common Marble is a small moth with striking white forewings patterned with irregular black and grey bands, resembling polished marble. A distinctive V-shaped mark often appears near its wing base, setting it apart visually from other moths. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Tortricidae - **Genus:** Syricoris ## Interesting facts - Its caterpillars munch on leaves from plants like bedstraw and blackberry, helping them grow big! - Some moths use their antennae to 'smell' amazing distances, even for a mate far away! - The adult moth's scientific name, lacunana, means 'full of holes,' describing its wing patterns! - This tiny moth is often active during the day, happily flitting among flowers in sunshine! ## Special abilities - **Marble Pattern Camouflage:** Common Marble has intricate wing patterns that help them blend seamlessly into tree bark or rocky surfaces, making them very hard for predators to spot. - **Super Snorkel Tongue:** Common Marble can sip sweet nectar from flowers using a long, coiled proboscis because it's designed like a straw to reach deep into blossoms. - **Sunshine Flier:** Common Marble can fly actively during the daytime, unlike many moths, because its ancestors adapted to avoid nocturnal predators. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 17-21 mm - **Size:** 8-12 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Caterpillars munch on leaves, while adult moths enjoy sipping sweet flower nectar. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat plant leaves, but adults only drink nectar using their proboscis. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar (adult), Bedstraw leaves (larva), Blackberry leaves (larva), Other plant leaves (larva) - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [European Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-robin) (*Erithacus rubecula*) — Adult moths are a food source for insectivorous birds during the day. - **Eats:** Hedge Bedstraw (*Galium album*) — Caterpillars feed on the leaves of this common wild plant. - **Eats:** Common Bramble (*Rubus fruticosus*) — Larvae also consume the leaves of this widespread shrub. - **Pollinates:** [Creeping Thistle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/creeping-thistle) (*Cirsium arvense*) — Adult moths visit flower heads, transferring pollen as they feed on nectar. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [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. - [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 It's safe to watch moths, but don't touch them as they are delicate. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Common Marble? 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 Common Marble's wingspan? 17-21 mm ### How big is Common Marble? 8-12 mm ### How long does Common Marble live? 7-14 days ### How fast can Common Marble fly? 8 km/h ### What does Common Marble eat? Caterpillars munch on leaves, while adult moths enjoy sipping sweet flower nectar. ### Where is Common Marble usually found? Urban areas ### How does Common Marble 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: [Common Marble: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-marble)