# Large Yellow Underwing (*Noctua pronuba*) The Large Yellow Underwing is a big, beautiful moth with bright yellow wings. It loves to fly around at night and can be found in gardens and fields, making it a fun sight for night-time explorers! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 22 - **Habitat:** Urban areas, gardens, fields - **Also known as:** Yellow Underwing Moth ![Large Yellow Underwing](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Noctua_pronuba_caterpillar_defensive_-_Keila.jpg&width=800) Photo: Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Noctua_pronuba_caterpillar_defensive_-_Keila.jpg) ## Appearance The Large Yellow Underwing has dull, patterned brown or grey forewings, which act as camouflage against tree bark. Its vibrant yellow hindwings, revealed during flight, are edged with a broad black band. This striking contrast makes it visually unique. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Noctuidae - **Genus:** Noctua ## Interesting facts - Its caterpillars are nicknamed "cutworms" because they sometimes chew through young plant stems at ground level! - Some of these moths travel huge distances, flying across oceans or continents like tiny adventurers! - The Large Yellow Underwing can hear bats using special organs on its chest, helping it avoid becoming dinner! - This moth helps many night-blooming flowers make seeds by carrying their pollen from plant to plant. ## Special abilities - **Flashy Escape Artist:** Large Yellow Underwing can startle predators with its bright yellow hindwings that flash open when threatened, creating confusion. - **Night Navigator:** Large Yellow Underwing flies actively after dark, using its keen senses to locate flowers for nectar and find mates in the shadows. - **Winter Survivor:** Large Yellow Underwing has hardy caterpillars that can feed and grow throughout the winter months, even in cold conditions. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 45-60 mm - **Size:** 25-30 mm - **Lifespan:** 14-28 days - **Flight Speed:** 10-20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adult moths sip flower nectar, while their caterpillars munch on leaves and stems of various plants. - **Age differences:** Caterpillars are herbivores eating leaves and roots, while adult moths are nectarivores. - **Primary Foods:** flower nectar, grasses, cabbage, lettuce, dandelion, plantain - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-brown-bat) (*Myotis lucifugus*) — A nocturnal hunter that preys on flying moths like the Large Yellow Underwing. - **Pollinates:** [Honeysuckle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/honeysuckle) (*Lonicera periclymenum*) — As they drink nectar, adult moths transfer pollen between these fragrant night flowers. - **Eats:** [Lettuce](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lettuce) (*Lactuca sativa*) — Caterpillars munch on the leaves of various garden vegetables, including lettuce. - **Eaten by:** [Eurasian Blue Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-blue-tit) (*Cyanistes caeruleus*) — Blue Tits feed their chicks many caterpillars, including this moth's larvae. ## Traits - [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. - [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. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [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. - [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 Yellow Underwing? 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 Yellow Underwing's wingspan? 45-60 mm ### How big is Large Yellow Underwing? 25-30 mm ### How long does Large Yellow Underwing live? 14-28 days ### How fast can Large Yellow Underwing fly? 10-20 km/h ### What does Large Yellow Underwing eat? Adult moths sip flower nectar, while their caterpillars munch on leaves and stems of various plants. ### Where is Large Yellow Underwing usually found? Urban areas, gardens, fields ### How does Large Yellow Underwing hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Capen-Clark Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/capen-clark-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Chesham](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chesham) — New Hampshire, US · Historic District - [Chicken Ridge Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chicken-ridge-historic-district) — US · Historic District - [Irvington Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/irvington-historic-district) — Indiana, US · Historic District - [McDade Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mcdade-park) — Pennsylvania, US · Botanical Garden - [Binder Park Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/binder-park-zoo) — Michigan, US · Zoo [View all places to see Large Yellow Underwing](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/large-yellow-underwing) ## 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 Yellow Underwing: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/large-yellow-underwing)