# Early Thorn (*Selenia dentaria*) The Early Thorn is a special moth that looks like a little piece of bark! It has beautiful, soft wings that help it hide in trees and bushes during the day. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Early Thorn](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Selenia_dentaria01.jpg&width=800) Photo: Attribution · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Selenia_dentaria01.jpg) ## Appearance The Early Thorn has jagged, thorn-like wings, usually pale yellow to reddish-brown with a distinct white or dark band across the forewings. This unique wing shape helps it blend seamlessly with dead leaves or twigs, making it hard to spot. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Geometridae - **Genus:** Selenia ## Interesting facts - Adult Early Thorns don't eat anything at all, they live off energy from their caterpillar days! - Early Thorns can have two generations in a year, one in spring and another in summer! - Its jagged wing edges perfectly mimic a broken twig, making it vanish! - This moth earned its name because it's one of the first moths seen in spring. ## Special abilities - **Twig Mimic:** Early Thorn has jagged, thorn-shaped wings that help them perfectly camouflage against dead twigs and bark to hide from predators. - **Seasonal Survivor:** Early Thorn can overwinter as a pupa, protected in its cocoon, allowing them to emerge early in spring. - **Two-Gen Moth:** Early Thorn can complete its life cycle twice in one year, resulting in two generations of moths in spring and summer. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 30-45 mm - **Size:** 15-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-14 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Caterpillars munch on tree leaves, but adult moths do not eat at all! - **Age differences:** Only caterpillars eat; adults do not feed, relying on energy stored from their larval stage. - **Primary Foods:** Hawthorn leaves, Birch leaves, Oak leaves, Hazel leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Birds prey on both caterpillars and adult moths. - **Eaten by:** [European Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-robin) (*Erithacus rubecula*) — Robins are common predators of many insects, including moths. - **Eats:** Common Hawthorn (*Crataegus monogyna*) — Caterpillars feed on the leaves of this common tree. - **Eats:** [Silver Birch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/silver-birch) (*Betula pendula*) — Young caterpillars consume the foliage of birch trees. ## 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. - [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. - [Spiky/Thorny](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spiky-thorny): Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface. - [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 Don't touch moths, as they can be delicate and might fly away quickly. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Early Thorn? 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 Early Thorn's wingspan? 30-45 mm ### How big is Early Thorn? 15-20 mm ### How long does Early Thorn live? 7-14 days ### What does Early Thorn eat? Caterpillars munch on tree leaves, but adult moths do not eat at all! ### Where is Early Thorn usually found? Forests ### How does Early Thorn hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Early Thorn have? 6 ## 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: [Early Thorn: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/early-thorn)