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Lesser Yellow Underwing

Noctua comes

The Lesser Yellow Underwing is a small moth with bright yellow underwings. It flies at night and loves to visit flowers, making it an important pollinator in gardens.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Lesser Yellow Underwing has dull, mottled brown or grey forewings that blend in with tree bark and ground. Its most striking feature is its bright yellow hindwings, each marked with a bold black band, which are usually hidden when at rest.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyNoctuidaeGenusNoctua
Lesser Yellow Underwing
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Lesser Yellow Underwing

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

If you shine a light at night, Lesser Yellow Underwings are often curious and fly towards it!

It can travel far distances, sometimes even crossing oceans to new places!

Some people call its caterpillar a 'cutworm' because it can chomp through plant stems!

This moth belongs to a huge family of moths called 'Noctuidae' or owlet moths.

Special abilities

Ability

Flashy Flight Display

Lesser Yellow Underwing can flash its bright yellow hindwings to startle predators, giving it a chance to escape quickly.

Ability

Stealthy Daytime Camouflage

Lesser Yellow Underwing has dull forewings that mimic tree bark, helping it hide unseen from predators during the day.

Ability

Nighttime Navigator

Lesser Yellow Underwing can fly and find food in the dark, using special senses to locate nectar-rich flowers.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
35-45 mm
Size
20-25 mm
Lifespan
14-30 days
Flight Speed
15-25 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Young moths munch on plants, while adults sip sweet nectar from flowers.

Age differences: Larvae (caterpillars) feed on various low-growing plants, while adult moths primarily consume nectar from flowers.

Primary Foods

  • grasses
  • dandelion leaves
  • plantain leaves
  • clover nectar
  • thistle nectar

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Moths are usually safe to watch, but don't touch them as they can be delicate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lesser Yellow Underwing's wingspan?

35-45 mm

How big is Lesser Yellow Underwing?

20-25 mm

How long does Lesser Yellow Underwing live?

14-30 days

How fast can Lesser Yellow Underwing fly?

15-25 km/h

What does Lesser Yellow Underwing eat?

Young moths munch on plants, while adults sip sweet nectar from flowers.

Where is Lesser Yellow Underwing usually found?

Urban areas

How does Lesser Yellow Underwing hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Lesser Yellow Underwing have?

6

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