# Large Maple Spanworm Moth (*Prochoerodes lineola*) The Large Maple Spanworm Moth is a beautiful moth with soft, fuzzy wings. It loves to flutter around trees, especially maple trees, and is most active at night. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 14 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Large Maple Spanworm Moth](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Prochoerodes_lineola.jpg&width=800) Photo: Jessica Lawrence, Smithers Viscient, Bugwood.org, CC BY 3.0 us · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Prochoerodes_lineola.jpg) ## Appearance The Large Maple Spanworm Moth is typically yellowish-brown to reddish-brown, often with faint wavy or jagged lines across its wings. Its coloration and subtle patterns make it visually distinct in resembling weathered tree bark, providing excellent natural camouflage. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Geometridae - **Genus:** Prochoerodes ## Interesting facts - Adult Large Maple Spanworm Moths often don't eat at all, living off stored energy! - Its caterpillar is a 'looper,' moving like it's measuring the ground! - Many caterpillars can change skin color to match surroundings as they grow. - Some moths have 'ears' on their belly to detect bat sounds and escape! ## Special abilities - **Bark Blending:** Large Maple Spanworm Moth can disappear against tree bark because of its mottled wing patterns that helps them hide from predators. - **Leaf Muncher Power:** Its caterpillars can devour many tree leaves because of strong chewing mouthparts that helps them grow fast. - **Pheromone Navigator:** Female moths can release invisible scents because of special glands that helps them attract mates from far away. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 35-50 mm - **Size:** 10-15 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-21 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults usually don't eat, but their caterpillars feast on tree leaves to grow big! - **Age differences:** Larvae eat plant leaves, while adult moths typically do not feed. - **Primary Foods:** Maple Leaves, Oak Leaves, Birch Leaves, Apple Leaves, Hazelnut Leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Red Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-maple) (*Acer rubrum*) — Larvae feed on leaves. - **Eats:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — A common food source for caterpillars. - **Eaten by:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-brown-bat) (*Myotis lucifugus*) — Nocturnal bats hunt adult moths. - **Eaten by:** [House Sparrow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-sparrow) (*Passer domesticus*) — Bird preys on caterpillars and adults. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [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. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [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 usually harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Large Maple Spanworm 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 Large Maple Spanworm Moth's wingspan? 35-50 mm ### How big is Large Maple Spanworm Moth? 10-15 mm ### How long does Large Maple Spanworm Moth live? 7-21 days ### What does Large Maple Spanworm Moth eat? Adults usually don't eat, but their caterpillars feast on tree leaves to grow big! ### Where is Large Maple Spanworm Moth usually found? Forests ### How does Large Maple Spanworm Moth hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Large Maple Spanworm Moth have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Advance Mills](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/advance-mills) — Virginia, US · Neighborhood - [Batesville East Main Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/batesville-east-main-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District - [Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/battle-creek-cypress-swamp-sanctuary) — Maryland, US · Nature Reserve - [Chantilly Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chantilly-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Charlestown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/charlestown-historic-district) — Maryland, US · Historic District - [Elk Neck State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/elk-neck-state-forest) — Maryland, US · Forest [View all places to see Large Maple Spanworm Moth](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/large-maple-spanworm-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: [Large Maple Spanworm Moth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/large-maple-spanworm-moth)