# Eurasian Copper Underwing (*Amphipyra pyramidea*) The Eurasian Copper Underwing is a beautiful moth with orange and brown wings. It likes to fly at night and can be found resting on tree trunks during the day. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Eurasian Copper Underwing](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Amphipyra_pyramidea_MHNT.jpg&width=800) Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Amphipyra_pyramidea_MHNT.jpg) ## Appearance The Eurasian Copper Underwing has dull, patterned brown or greyish-brown forewings that help it camouflage during the day. However, when disturbed, it flashes vibrant, coppery-orange hindwings, revealing a striking contrast to its muted upper wings. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Noctuidae - **Genus:** Amphipyra ## Interesting facts - Adult moths sometimes drink sweet tree sap for energy, not just flower nectar! - Its caterpillar can change color to perfectly blend in with the leaves it is eating! - The scientific name 'pyramidea' might refer to a cool pyramid-shaped mark on its caterpillar! - This moth often rests head-down on tree trunks, looking exactly like a piece of bark! ## Special abilities - **Surprise Flash:** The Eurasian Copper Underwing can flash its bright orange hindwings to startle predators, giving it a chance to escape quickly. - **Leaf Disguise:** The Eurasian Copper Underwing has forewings that perfectly mimic tree bark, helping it hide from birds during the day. - **Night Navigator:** The Eurasian Copper Underwing is a nighttime flyer, using its excellent senses to navigate in the dark for food and mates. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 38-48 mm - **Size:** 18-22 mm - **Lifespan:** 14-28 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip sweet nectar and tree sap, while their caterpillars munch on leaves and grasses. - **Age differences:** Larvae are herbivorous, eating plant leaves and grasses, while adults primarily feed on nectar and tree sap. - **Primary Foods:** nectar, tree sap, oak leaves, clover, hawthorn leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Adult moths are a tasty snack for many birds. - **Eats:** Common Oak (*Quercus robur*) — Caterpillars munch on the leaves of oak trees. - **Eats:** [White Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-clover) (*Trifolium repens*) — Young caterpillars feed on clover and other low plants. - **Pollinates:** [Honeysuckle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/honeysuckle) (*Lonicera periclymenum*) — Adult moths visit night-scented flowers for nectar. ## 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. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [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 look and not touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eurasian Copper Underwing? 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 Eurasian Copper Underwing's wingspan? 38-48 mm ### How big is Eurasian Copper Underwing? 18-22 mm ### How long does Eurasian Copper Underwing live? 14-28 days ### What does Eurasian Copper Underwing eat? Adults sip sweet nectar and tree sap, while their caterpillars munch on leaves and grasses. ### Where is Eurasian Copper Underwing usually found? Grasslands ### How does Eurasian Copper Underwing hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Eurasian Copper Underwing 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: [Eurasian Copper Underwing: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-copper-underwing)