# Flame Shoulder Moth (*Ochropleura plecta*) The Flame Shoulder Moth is a small, colorful moth with bright orange and black markings. It loves to flutter around gardens and fields, especially during warm summer nights. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Flame Shoulder Moth](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ochropleura_plecta01.jpg&width=800) Photo: Attribution · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ochropleura_plecta01.jpg) ## Appearance The Flame Shoulder Moth has distinct forewings featuring a prominent, fiery orange-red patch near the body, contrasting with the darker olive-brown and grey-mottled wing bases. Its hindwings are a plain, light grey, less striking than the forewings. This color pattern helps it stand out, yet also blend in. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Noctuidae - **Genus:** Ochropleura ## Interesting facts - Baby Flame Shoulder Moths love to eat common weeds like dock and plantain plants. - Its caterpillars are often called cutworms because they chew through plant stems at ground level! - Like all moths, it starts as a tiny egg, then a munching caterpillar, and a sleepy pupa before becoming an adult! - Some Flame Shoulder Moths can have two or even three generations of babies in just one year! ## Special abilities - **Night Navigator:** Flame Shoulder Moth can fly and find food in the dark because it uses sensitive antennae to detect the scents of flowers from far away. - **Nectar Sipper:** Flame Shoulder Moth can unroll a long proboscis to sip sweet nectar from flowers, which provides energy for flight and helps pollinate plants. - **Camouflage Master:** Flame Shoulder Moth has mottled olive-brown and grey wings that help them blend perfectly with tree bark and dried leaves to hide from predators. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-30 mm - **Size:** 12-18 mm - **Lifespan:** 14-30 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adult Flame Shoulder Moths drink nectar, while their caterpillars munch on plant leaves and stems. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat plant leaves and stems, while adults feed on nectar from flowers. - **Primary Foods:** nectar, Rumex crispus (Curled Dock), Plantago major (Greater Plantain), Stellaria media (Common Chickweed), Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion) - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Common Pipistrelle (*Pipistrellus pipistrellus*) — Bats hunt flying moths at night using echolocation. - **Eaten by:** [European Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-robin) (*Erithacus rubecula*) — Robins forage for caterpillars and adult moths. - **Eats:** [Curled Dock](https://www.snappit.app/explore/curled-dock) (*Rumex crispus*) — Larvae feed on the leaves of this common weed. - **Eats:** [Greater Plantain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/greater-plantain) (*Plantago major*) — Caterpillars munch on plantain leaves and stems. ## 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. - [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. - [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 harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance and not touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Flame Shoulder Moth? 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 Flame Shoulder Moth's wingspan? 25-30 mm ### How big is Flame Shoulder Moth? 12-18 mm ### How long does Flame Shoulder Moth live? 14-30 days ### What does Flame Shoulder Moth eat? Adult Flame Shoulder Moths drink nectar, while their caterpillars munch on plant leaves and stems. ### Where is Flame Shoulder Moth usually found? Grasslands ### How does Flame Shoulder Moth hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Flame Shoulder Moth 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: [Flame Shoulder Moth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/flame-shoulder-moth)