# Four-spotted Moth (*Tyta luctuosa*) The Four-spotted Moth is a beautiful insect with four distinct spots on its wings. It loves to flutter around at night and can be found in gardens and fields, making it a special nighttime friend. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Gardens and fields ![Four-spotted Moth](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Tyta_luctuosa01.jpg&width=800) Photo: Attribution · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tyta_luctuosa01.jpg) ## Appearance The Four-spotted Moth has dark, almost black, forewings with two prominent, irregular white or cream-colored spots on each wing. Its hindwings are also dark with a single white patch near the outer edge, making it stand out from similar duller moths. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Erebidae - **Genus:** Tyta ## Interesting facts - Despite its name, its hindwings also feature a unique white spot. - It flies with a quick, darting motion from flower to flower. - Its caterpillars love to munch on bindweed plant leaves! - When resting, this moth folds its striking wings flat like a cape. ## Special abilities - **Spotlight Camouflage:** Four-spotted Moths have contrasting spots on dark wings that help them blend into flowery meadows, confusing predators. - **Nectar Sipper:** Four-spotted Moths can drink sweet nectar using their long proboscis, which helps them gain energy and indirectly pollinate plants. - **Daylight Explorer:** Four-spotted Moths are active during the day, which helps them find flowers for nectar and avoid some nocturnal predators like bats. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-30 mm - **Size:** 12-15 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip flower nectar; caterpillars feast on specific plant leaves. - **Age differences:** Larvae consume plant leaves, while adults feed on nectar. - **Primary Foods:** flower nectar, field bindweed leaves, hedge bindweed leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Field Bindweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-bindweed) (*Convolvulus arvensis*) — Caterpillars feast on its leaves. - **Eats:** [Hedge Bindweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hedge-bindweed) (*Calystegia sepium*) — Larvae consume its foliage. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — A common bird that preys on moths. - **Pollinates:** [Brown Knapweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-knapweed) (*Centaurea jacea*) — Visits flowers while seeking nectar. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [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. - [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 It's safe to watch moths, but don't touch them as they can be delicate. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Four-spotted 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 Four-spotted Moth's wingspan? 25-30 mm ### How big is Four-spotted Moth? 12-15 mm ### How long does Four-spotted Moth live? 7-14 days ### How fast can Four-spotted Moth fly? 8 km/h ### What does Four-spotted Moth eat? Adults sip flower nectar; caterpillars feast on specific plant leaves. ### Where is Four-spotted Moth usually found? Gardens and fields ### How does Four-spotted Moth hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Dinosaur Ridge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dinosaur-ridge) — Colorado, US · Natural Landmark - [The Living Planet Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/the-living-planet-aquarium) — Utah, US · Zoo ## 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: [Four-spotted Moth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/four-spotted-moth)