# Green Longhorn Moth (*Adela reaumurella*) The Green Longhorn Moth is a tiny, bright green moth with long antennae. It flutters around gardens and fields, making it a delightful sight for nature lovers. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Green Longhorn Moth](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Adela.reaumurella.female.jpg&width=800) Photo: James K. Lindsey, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Adela.reaumurella.female.jpg) ## Appearance The Green Longhorn Moth has a vibrant, metallic green head and thorax that shimmer in the light. Its forewings are also iridescent green, contrasting with its darker hindwings. The most striking feature is its extremely long, thread-like antennae, which are often 2-3 times its body length and pale-tipped. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Adelidae - **Genus:** Adela ## Interesting facts - It's sometimes called a 'Fairy Moth' because of its delicate, shimmering wings! - Male moths perform an aerial 'dance-off' to impress females, flying up and down! - The moth's amazing green color comes from special microscopic scales that reflect light! - Their tiny caterpillars build silk cases and decorate them with bits of dead leaves! ## Special abilities - **Super Antennae:** Green Longhorn Moth has incredibly long antennae that help them find mates and sense their surroundings with amazing precision. - **Daylight Dancer:** Green Longhorn Moth can fly during the day, which helps them find nectar and mates when many predators are less active. - **Shiny Camouflage:** Green Longhorn Moth has iridescent green scales that help them blend into lush green foliage, avoiding detection by birds. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 14-18 mm - **Size:** 6-8 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-20 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adult moths sip nectar from flowers, while their tiny caterpillars munch on dead leaves. - **Age differences:** Adult moths drink nectar, but their larvae feed on dead leaves found in leaf litter on the forest floor. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar (from Buttercup), Nectar (from Dandelion), Nectar (from Hawthorn), Fallen oak leaves, Fallen birch leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Blue Tit (*Cyanistes caeruleus*) — Tiny birds find them a tasty, nutritious snack. - **Pollinates:** [Meadow Buttercup](https://www.snappit.app/explore/meadow-buttercup) (*Ranunculus acris*) — Adults visit flowers, sipping nectar and spreading pollen. - **Depends on:** [Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/oak) (*Quercus robur*) — Larvae feed on fallen leaves of these mighty trees. ## 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. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [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 gentle creatures, but it's best to observe them without touching. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Green Longhorn 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 Green Longhorn Moth's wingspan? 14-18 mm ### How big is Green Longhorn Moth? 6-8 mm ### How long does Green Longhorn Moth live? 10-20 days ### What does Green Longhorn Moth eat? Adult moths sip nectar from flowers, while their tiny caterpillars munch on dead leaves. ### Where is Green Longhorn Moth usually found? Grasslands ### How does Green Longhorn Moth hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Green Longhorn 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: [Green Longhorn Moth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/green-longhorn-moth)