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Feathered Thorn

Colotois pennaria

The Feathered Thorn is a special caterpillar that looks like a little green feather! It has soft, fuzzy hairs that help it blend in with leaves and stay safe from birds.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Feathered Thorn is a medium-sized moth with jagged-edged wings, typically pale yellow-ochre to brownish-orange. Its most distinctive features are the heavily 'feathered' antennae, especially on the male, and two small dark spots on each forewing.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyGeometridaeGenusColotois
Feathered Thorn
furry trait badgesolitary trait badgecamouflaged trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Feathered Thorn

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Feathered Thorn caterpillars can be bright green or brown to match their plant foods!

Its caterpillars are so good at camouflaging, they look just like twigs!

The male moth's huge feathery antennae help him detect female moths from far off.

This moth is one of the few that flies mainly in autumn, even when it's chilly.

Special abilities

Ability

Pheromone Radar

Feathered Thorn can detect mates from far away because of its large, feathery antennae that are super-sensitive to scents.

Ability

Leaf Disguise

Feathered Thorn has jagged-edged wings that help them perfectly blend in with autumn leaves, making them hard to spot.

Ability

Night Navigator

Feathered Thorn can fly and find food in the dark because of its special eyes that collect lots of dim light.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
40-55 mm
Size
20-25 mm
Lifespan
14-28 days
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Caterpillars munch on tree leaves; adult moths mostly sip nectar for energy.

Age differences: Caterpillars are leaf-eating herbivores, while adult moths primarily feed on flower nectar.

Primary Foods

  • Quercus robur
  • Betula pendula
  • Salix caprea
  • Populus tremula

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eats

Pedunculate Oak

Quercus robur

Caterpillars feed on the leaves of this common oak tree.

eats

Silver Birch

Betula pendula

Larvae also consume the foliage of birch trees.

eaten by

Great Tit

Parus major

Its caterpillars and adult moths are eaten by various bird species.

eaten by

Common Pipistrelle

Pipistrellus pipistrellus

Adult moths flying at night are prey for insectivorous bats.

pollinates

Common Ivy

Hedera helix

Adult moths visit late-blooming ivy flowers to drink nectar.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Don't touch caterpillars unless you know they are safe; some can be prickly or have hairs that irritate skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Feathered Thorn's wingspan?

40-55 mm

How big is Feathered Thorn?

20-25 mm

How long does Feathered Thorn live?

14-28 days

What does Feathered Thorn eat?

Caterpillars munch on tree leaves; adult moths mostly sip nectar for energy.

Where is Feathered Thorn usually found?

Forests

How does Feathered Thorn hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Feathered Thorn have?

6

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