Nine-spotted Moth
ExploreInsects
Nine-spotted Moth
Amata phegea
The Nine-spotted Moth is a colorful insect with beautiful black and yellow patterns. It flutters around gardens and fields, bringing joy to those who spot it!
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Nine-spotted Moth has a striking black body with a yellow or orange band around its abdomen. Its translucent black wings feature nine distinct, round, white or pale yellow spots, making it easy to identify. This coloring helps it visually mimic dangerous wasps, deterring predators.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyErebidaeGenusAmata
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Despite being a moth, it loves flying around in the warm sunshine, like a butterfly!
Its bright colors warn predators it tastes awful, a trick called aposematism!
Some people mistake this moth for a tiny bumblebee or a wasp because of its amazing disguise!
The caterpillars eat plants that store poisons, making them and the adult moth toxic to eat!
Special abilities
Ability
Wasp Impersonator
Nine-spotted Moth can mimic the look of dangerous wasps because of its black and yellow colors and flight pattern, which helps them avoid predators.
Ability
Toxic Shield
Nine-spotted Moth has special toxins in its body that help make it taste bad to birds and other predators.
Ability
Daylight Flier
Nine-spotted Moth can fly actively during the daytime, which helps them find food and mates when many other moths are resting.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 35-40 mm
- Size
- 15-20 mm
- Lifespan
- 10-20 days
- Flight Speed
- 8 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Adults sip nectar from flowers, while caterpillars munch on leaves of common plants.
Age differences: Caterpillars feed on plant leaves; adults consume nectar from flowers.
Primary Foods
- Nectar
- Ribwort Plantain
- Common Dandelion
- Various wild flowers
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eats
Ribwort Plantain
Plantago lanceolata
Its caterpillars munch on the leaves.
eats
Common Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
Caterpillars also feed on these common plants.
pollinates
Greater Knapweed
Centaurea scabiosa
Adult moths help flowers by carrying pollen.
eaten by
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Great Tit
Parus major
Some birds brave its toxins for a meal.
Traits
Spotted
Marked with spots or patches of a different color.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
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.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
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 usually safe to observe, but don't touch them as they can be delicate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nine-spotted Moth's wingspan?
35-40 mm
How big is Nine-spotted Moth?
15-20 mm
How long does Nine-spotted Moth live?
10-20 days
How fast can Nine-spotted Moth fly?
8 km/h
What does Nine-spotted Moth eat?
Adults sip nectar from flowers, while caterpillars munch on leaves of common plants.
Where is Nine-spotted Moth usually found?
Grasslands
How does Nine-spotted Moth hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Nine-spotted Moth have?
6
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