# Giant Leopard Moth (*Hypercompe scribonia*) The Giant Leopard Moth is a beautiful insect with big, fluffy white wings covered in black spots. They are often seen at night, fluttering around lights, and are known for their striking appearance. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 35 - **Habitat:** Urban areas - **Also known as:** Leopard Moth ![Giant Leopard Moth](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Giant_leopard_moth_hypercompe_scribonia_3.jpg&width=800) Photo: Jeremy Johnson, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Giant_leopard_moth_hypercompe_scribonia_3.jpg) ## Appearance The Giant Leopard Moth has striking pure white wings covered in irregular black spots, some ringed with iridescent blue. Its fuzzy, dark blue body features vibrant orange markings along the sides and a segmented pattern, making it visually distinct from other moths. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Erebidae - **Genus:** Hypercompe ## Interesting facts - Adult Giant Leopard Moths don't eat; they live off energy saved from their caterpillar days! - Each moth's black spot pattern is totally unique, just like a fingerprint! - If caught, they sometimes play dead to trick predators, lying perfectly still! - Their spiky black caterpillars are called 'woolly bears' and can even survive freezing temperatures! ## Special abilities - **Startle Display:** Giant Leopard Moth can flash its brightly colored blue-orange abdomen to startle predators, giving it a chance to escape. - **Ultrasonic Evasion:** Giant Leopard Moth has special hearing organs that help them detect bat echolocation, allowing them to perform evasive flight. - **Chemical Defense:** Giant Leopard Moth can release a foul-smelling, noxious fluid from glands near its neck to deter hungry attackers. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 70-90 mm - **Size:** 30-50 mm - **Lifespan:** 5-10 days - **Flight Speed:** 15-20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Caterpillars are plant-eaters, munching on many leaves, but adult moths do not feed at all! - **Age differences:** Caterpillars are voracious herbivores, while adult moths do not feed, relying on stored energy. - **Primary Foods:** Common Plantain, Dandelion, Violet, Willow, Honeysuckle, Maple - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Big Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/big-brown-bat) (*Eptesicus fuscus*) — Nocturnal hunter of moths, including this species. - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Diurnal bird that preys on resting moths and caterpillars. - **Eats:** Common Plantain (*Plantago major*) — Caterpillars feed on its leaves, a common host plant. - **Eats:** [Common Dandelion](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-dandelion) (*Taraxacum officinale*) — Larvae consume the leaves of this widespread plant. ## 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. - [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. - [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. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low You can watch these moths, but don't touch them as they might be scared. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Giant Leopard 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 Giant Leopard Moth's wingspan? 70-90 mm ### How big is Giant Leopard Moth? 30-50 mm ### How long does Giant Leopard Moth live? 5-10 days ### How fast can Giant Leopard Moth fly? 15-20 km/h ### What does Giant Leopard Moth eat? Caterpillars are plant-eaters, munching on many leaves, but adult moths do not feed at all! ### Where is Giant Leopard Moth usually found? Urban areas ### How does Giant Leopard Moth hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Albany Pine Bush](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/albany-pine-bush) — New York, US · Nature Reserve - [Anderson University](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/anderson-university) — South Carolina, US · Campus - [Belltown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/belltown-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Black Hawk State Historic Site](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/black-hawk-state-historic-site) — Illinois, US · Park - [Bok Tower Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bok-tower-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Burke Lake Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/burke-lake-park) — Virginia, US · Park [View all places to see Giant Leopard Moth](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/giant-leopard-moth) ## 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: [Giant Leopard Moth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/giant-leopard-moth)