Orthodes noverca
ExploreInsects
Orthodes noverca
Orthodes noverca
The Orthodes noverca, also known as the 'Mother-of-pearl Moth', is a beautiful insect with shiny wings. It loves to fly around gardens and fields, especially at night when it looks for flowers to sip nectar from.
Habitat: Gardens and fields
Appearance
The Orthodes noverca is a small, stout-bodied moth with mottled brownish-grey forewings. It often features a darker, irregular median band and a distinct kidney-shaped spot, called a reniform stigma, near the center. Its hindwings are paler and somewhat translucent.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyNoctuidaeGenusOrthodes
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Even in winter, some of these moths survive as pupae, waiting for spring!
Its caterpillars often hide by rolling up leaves to build a cozy, safe shelter.
The word 'noverca' in its name means 'stepmother' in Latin!
This moth belongs to a family where many members have 'ears' to hear bats!
Special abilities
Ability
Night Camouflage
Orthodes noverca can blend perfectly into tree bark because of its mottled brown wings that help them hide from predators during the day.
Ability
Scent Tracking
Orthodes noverca can find flowers in the dark because it has sensitive antennae that detect faint chemical scents, helping them locate nectar sources.
Ability
Agile Dodging
Orthodes noverca can quickly dart away from danger because of its powerful wing muscles that enable agile escape maneuvers in flight.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 25-30 mm
- Size
- 15-25 mm
- Lifespan
- 30-60 days
- Flight Speed
- 8 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Caterpillars munch on various plants, while adult moths sip sweet flower nectar.
Age differences: Larvae feed on leaves and stems; adults drink nectar.
Primary Foods
- grasses
- herbaceous plants
- tree leaves
- flower nectar
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Little Brown Bat
Myotis lucifugus
Bats hunt moths using echolocation at night.
eaten by
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
Birds may prey on resting moths during the day.
pollinates
Canada Goldenrod
Solidago canadensis
Adults visit flowers like goldenrod for nectar.
eats
Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis
Its caterpillars feed on various types of grasses.
Traits
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
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.
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
Mother-of-pearl Moth
Collections
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
What is Orthodes noverca's wingspan?
25-30 mm
How big is Orthodes noverca?
15-25 mm
How long does Orthodes noverca live?
30-60 days
How fast can Orthodes noverca fly?
8 km/h
What does Orthodes noverca eat?
Caterpillars munch on various plants, while adult moths sip sweet flower nectar.
Where is Orthodes noverca usually found?
Gardens and fields
How does Orthodes noverca hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Orthodes noverca have?
6
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
