# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Lesser Yellow Underwing](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Noctua.comes.jpg&width=800) Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Noctua.comes.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Noctuidae - **Genus:** Noctua ## 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 - **Flashy Flight Display:** Lesser Yellow Underwing can flash its bright yellow hindwings to startle predators, giving it a chance to escape quickly. - **Stealthy Daytime Camouflage:** Lesser Yellow Underwing has dull forewings that mimic tree bark, helping it hide unseen from predators during the day. - **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 - **Hunts:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-brown-bat) (*Myotis lucifugus*) — Bats are nocturnal predators of moths. - **Eats:** [European Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-robin) (*Erithacus rubecula*) — Robins might find moths resting during the day. - **Eaten by:** [Dandelion](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dandelion) (*Taraxacum officinale*) — Its leaves are a common food source for caterpillars. - **Pollinates:** Common Bramble (*Rubus fruticosus*) — Adult moths visit bramble flowers for nectar. ## 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. - [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. - [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 safe to watch, but don't touch them as they can be delicate. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Lesser 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 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 ## 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: [Lesser Yellow Underwing: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lesser-yellow-underwing)