# Egira Egira is a type of moth that is often found in gardens and forests. They have beautiful patterns on their wings and are active at night, making them special nighttime visitors. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Egira](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Egira_conspicillaris.jpg&width=800) Photo: Dumi, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Egira_conspicillaris.jpg) ## Appearance The Egira has a fuzzy, stout body typically covered in brown, grey, or olive-green scales. Its broad, triangular wings feature intricate patterns of darker lines and spots, providing excellent camouflage against tree bark or leaves. A distinctive, feathery antenna set it apart visually. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Noctuidae - **Genus:** Egira ## Interesting facts - An Egira caterpillar eats so much that it grows its body size by thousands of times before becoming a moth! - Many Egira moths don't eat at all during their adult life, living only to mate and lay eggs! - Some Egira caterpillars can puff up their heads to look like a snake, scaring away hungry birds. - The 'dust' that comes off moth wings is actually thousands of tiny, colorful scales. ## Special abilities - **Night Vision:** Egira has large compound eyes that help them navigate and find food in low-light conditions, even on moonless nights. - **Super Sniffer:** Egira can detect the faint scent of flowers and even potential mates from far away using their specialized antennae. - **Camouflage Master:** Egira can blend perfectly into its surroundings because of its patterned wings, making it nearly invisible to predators. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 50-80 mm - **Size:** 25-45 mm - **Lifespan:** 15-30 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adult Egira moths sip flower nectar, while their hungry caterpillars munch on leaves. - **Age differences:** Egira caterpillars primarily eat plant leaves and stems, while adult moths primarily feed on nectar and plant sap. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Plant sap, Fruit juice, Tree leaves, Plant stems - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Birds like tits prey on adult moths and caterpillars. - **Eats:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Egira caterpillars often feed on the leaves of oak trees. - **Pollinates:** [Japanese Honeysuckle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/japanese-honeysuckle) (*Lonicera japonica*) — Adult moths visit various flowers, transferring pollen. - **Parasitizes:** Tobacco Hornworm Parasitoid Wasp (*Cotesia congregata*) — Wasps lay eggs on Egira caterpillars, whose larvae then consume the host. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [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. - [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. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [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 some can be delicate and may not like being handled. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Egira? 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 Egira's wingspan? 50-80 mm ### How big is Egira? 25-45 mm ### How long does Egira live? 15-30 days ### How fast can Egira fly? 15 km/h ### What does Egira eat? Adult Egira moths sip flower nectar, while their hungry caterpillars munch on leaves. ### Where is Egira usually found? Forests ### How does Egira 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: [Egira: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/egira)