# Ocean Spray Fairy Moth (*Adela septentrionella*) The Ocean Spray Fairy Moth is a tiny, delicate moth with beautiful wings that shimmer in the sunlight. It loves to flutter around flowers and is often found near coastal areas. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![Ocean Spray Fairy Moth](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Adela_septentrionella_02.jpg&width=800) Photo: CBG Photography Group, Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, CC0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Adela_septentrionella_02.jpg) ## Appearance The Ocean Spray Fairy Moth has remarkably long, thread-like antennae that can be several times its body length. Its wings are slender and iridescent, often displaying a subtle metallic purple or green sheen, contrasting with its dark body and distinctive fuzzy, yellowish-orange head. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Adelidae - **Genus:** Adela ## Interesting facts - Baby Ocean Spray Fairy Moths start life as tiny leaf-mining caterpillars! - Despite being a moth, it often flies actively during sunny daylight hours! - Its antennae are incredibly long, up to five times its tiny body size! - This moth got its name from the "ocean spray" plant it loves! ## Special abilities - **Super Antennae:** Ocean Spray Fairy Moth has exceptionally long antennae that help them detect pheromones from mates and locate food sources. - **Iridescent Camouflage:** Ocean Spray Fairy Moth can blend into dappled sunlight thanks to its shimmering, iridescent wings that scatter light like fairy dust. - **Pollen Power:** Ocean Spray Fairy Moth can effectively pollinate plants because its fuzzy body collects and transfers pollen between flowers. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 4-8 mm - **Size:** 2-4 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-14 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip nectar from flowers, while their tiny larvae munch on leaves. - **Age differences:** Adults drink nectar, but larvae mine and eat plant leaves. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Pollen, Leaves of Holodiscus discolor, Decaying leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Ocean Spray](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ocean-spray) (*Holodiscus discolor*) — These moths are important pollinators for the Ocean Spray plant. - **Eats:** [Ocean Spray](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ocean-spray) (*Holodiscus discolor*) — Larvae mine the leaves of the Ocean Spray plant. - **Eaten by:** [Steller's Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stellers-jay) (*Cyanocitta stelleri*) — Steller's Jays may snack on these tiny moths. - **Eaten by:** [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Araneus diadematus*) — Garden spiders build webs to catch flying insects like these moths. ## 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. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [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. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [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 gentle creatures, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Ocean Spray Fairy 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 Ocean Spray Fairy Moth's wingspan? 4-8 mm ### How big is Ocean Spray Fairy Moth? 2-4 mm ### How long does Ocean Spray Fairy Moth live? 7-14 days ### What does Ocean Spray Fairy Moth eat? Adults sip nectar from flowers, while their tiny larvae munch on leaves. ### Where is Ocean Spray Fairy Moth usually found? Coastal areas ### How does Ocean Spray Fairy Moth hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Ocean Spray Fairy Moth have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/oregon-caves-national-monument-and-preserve) — Oregon, US · National Park ## 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: [Ocean Spray Fairy Moth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ocean-spray-fairy-moth)