# 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! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Nine-spotted Moth](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Amata_phegea.jpg&width=800) Photo: For use outside of Wikimedia projects, you have to credit also with hyperlink. For other licenses or terms of use contact me., CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Amata_phegea.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Erebidae - **Genus:** Amata ## 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 - **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. - **Toxic Shield:** Nine-spotted Moth has special toxins in its body that help make it taste bad to birds and other predators. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ribwort-plantain) (*Plantago lanceolata*) — Its caterpillars munch on the leaves. - **Eats:** [Common Dandelion](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-dandelion) (*Taraxacum officinale*) — Caterpillars also feed on these common plants. - **Pollinates:** [Greater Knapweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/greater-knapweed) (*Centaurea scabiosa*) — Adult moths help flowers by carrying pollen. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Some birds brave its toxins for a meal. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [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 observe, but don't touch them as they can be delicate. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Nine-spotted Moth? 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 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 ## 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: [Nine-spotted Moth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/nine-spotted-moth)