# Dot-Lined White (*artace cribrarius*) The Dot-Lined White is a beautiful butterfly with striking white wings adorned with delicate black lines. Kids love to spot them fluttering around gardens and meadows! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Dot-Lined Whites thrive in gardens, meadows, and open fields. - **Also known as:** Black-Lined Butterfly, Garden Butterfly, White Butterfly ![Dot-Lined White](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Artace_cribrarius_SERC_10-01-15_0412_%2821838067276%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Artace_cribrarius_SERC_10-01-15_0412_%2821838067276%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Dot-Lined White is a small to medium-sized moth with pure white wings speckled with numerous tiny, distinct black dots. Its body is also covered in soft, white, downy hairs, giving it a fluffy appearance that makes it visually different from a flat-winged butterfly. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Lasiocampidae - **Genus:** Artace ## Interesting facts - Despite its name, its relatives are famous for 'tent' nests, but this one's caterpillar is a solitary wanderer! - Its caterpillars wear a fuzzy coat of bristles, looking quite different from the adults! - Like many moths, it's drawn to bright lights at night, making it easy to spot! - This beautiful 'white butterfly' is actually a moth, often flying at night! ## Special abilities - **Camouflage Cloak:** Dot-Lined White can vanish into snowy or lichen-covered environments because its white wings with black dots provide excellent camouflage. - **Scent Tracking:** Dot-Lined White has special antennae that can detect invisible scent signals, helping males find females over long distances for mating. - **Nocturnal Navigator:** Dot-Lined White can fly accurately in the dark, guiding itself using moonlight and scent trails to find mates and host plants. - **Silk Fortress:** Dot-Lined White larvae can spin a strong silk cocoon, which protects them as they transform into adult moths during pupation. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 28-42 mm - **Size:** 15-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-14 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Tiny caterpillars munch on leaves, while adult moths prefer sips of sweet flower nectar. - **Age differences:** Larvae consume leaves from host plants, while adults only drink nectar or other liquid sustenance. - **Primary Foods:** Oak leaves, Willow leaves, Birch leaves, Flower nectar - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Larvae feed on the leaves of this tree. - **Eats:** [Black Willow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-willow) (*Salix nigra*) — Caterpillars often munch on willow foliage. - **Eaten by:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-brown-bat) (*Myotis lucifugus*) — Bats actively hunt flying moths at night. - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Birds may catch caterpillars or resting adults. ## 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. - [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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [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:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Dot-Lined White? 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 Dot-Lined White's wingspan? 28-42 mm ### How big is Dot-Lined White? 15-25 mm ### How long does Dot-Lined White live? 7-14 days ### What does Dot-Lined White eat? Tiny caterpillars munch on leaves, while adult moths prefer sips of sweet flower nectar. ### Where is Dot-Lined White usually found? Dot-Lined Whites thrive in gardens, meadows, and open fields. ### How does Dot-Lined White hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Dot-Lined White have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Fort Caroline](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-caroline) — Florida, US · National Park - [Dayton Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dayton-street-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District - [Gilbert-Sinton Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gilbert-sinton-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District - [Greenville Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/greenville-zoo) — South Carolina, US · Zoo - [Mount Auburn Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mount-auburn-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District - [Newport Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/newport-aquarium-kentucky) — Kentucky, US · Aquarium [View all places to see Dot-Lined White](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/dot-lined-white) ## 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: [Dot-Lined White: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dot-lined-white)