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Mottled Umber
ExploreInsects
Mottled Umber
Erannis defoliaria
The Mottled Umber is a pretty moth with soft, brown wings that look like tree bark. It loves to rest on trees during the day and comes out at night to fly around.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Mottled Umber is a moth with males displaying yellowish-brown to grey-brown wings patterned with darker, wavy bands and speckles, providing excellent camouflage. Females are distinctly different, being virtually wingless with small, stubby wing pads, giving them a spider-like appearance as they crawl.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyGeometridaeGenusErannis
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Brrr! This moth is one of the few insects you might spot flying on chilly winter nights.
Imagine! Its caterpillars can strip whole trees bare, eating hundreds of leaves in spring.
Sniff-Sniff! Male Mottled Umbers use their feathery antennae to smell females from far away.
Wow! Moths usually fly, but female Mottled Umbers must crawl to find their mates.
Special abilities
Ability
Wingless Wanderer
Mottled Umber females have tiny, vestigial wings because of genetics that helps them crawl and lay eggs without flying.
Ability
Bark Blending
Mottled Umber has mottled brown and grey wings that helps them disappear against tree bark, hiding from hungry birds and bats.
Ability
Winter Survivor Eggs
Mottled Umber lays eggs in late autumn because of a special adaptation that helps them survive winter and hatch in spring.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 35-45 mm
- Size
- 12-18 mm
- Lifespan
- 10-30 days
- Flight Speed
- 8 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Its hungry caterpillars munch on tree leaves, helping recycle nutrients in forests.
Age differences: Larvae eat leaves, while adult moths rarely feed or only sip nectar/water.
Primary Foods
- Oak leaves
- Birch leaves
- Hawthorn leaves
- Hazel leaves
- Beech leaves
- Rowan leaves
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eats
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Great Tit
Parus major
larvae are a food source for young birds
eaten by
Pedunculate Oak
Quercus robur
caterpillars defoliate its leaves in spring
eaten by
Silver Birch
Betula pendula
a favourite food tree for hungry caterpillars
hunts
Common Pipistrelle
Pipistrellus pipistrellus
adult moths are prey for this small bat
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Moths are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mottled Umber's wingspan?
35-45 mm
How big is Mottled Umber?
12-18 mm
How long does Mottled Umber live?
10-30 days
How fast can Mottled Umber fly?
8 km/h
What does Mottled Umber eat?
Its hungry caterpillars munch on tree leaves, helping recycle nutrients in forests.
Where is Mottled Umber usually found?
Forests
How does Mottled Umber hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Mottled Umber have?
6
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