# Rosy Tabby (*Endotricha flammealis*) The Rosy Tabby is a colorful moth with beautiful pink and orange patterns on its wings. 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:** Gardens and fields ![Rosy Tabby](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Endotricha_flammealis_1.jpg&width=800) Photo: dhobern, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Endotricha_flammealis_1.jpg) ## Appearance The Rosy Tabby is a small moth with rosy-pink to reddish-brown forewings, marked by two wavy darker cross-lines and a purplish border. Its hindwings are a plainer grey-brown, providing a striking contrast to its vibrant front. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Pyralidae - **Genus:** Endotricha ## Interesting facts - Even though it’s small, this moth can fly for miles each night! - It belongs to the "snout moth" family, named for its pointy mouthparts! - Its beautiful colors make it look like a tiny autumn leaf with wings! - This moth's caterpillars weave silken tunnels on leaves to stay safe! ## Special abilities - **Night Vision Navigator:** Rosy Tabby can fly in darkness because it has special eyes that help it see very well at night, finding food and mates. - **Scent Seeker:** Rosy Tabby has feathery antennae that help it detect faint scents from flowers and other moths from far away. - **Autumn Blocker:** Rosy Tabby has rosy-brown wings that help it blend perfectly with dry leaves and twigs, hiding from hungry birds. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 18-23 mm - **Size:** 8-12 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip sweet nectar, while their caterpillars munch on decaying leaves and plant bits. - **Age differences:** Young caterpillars eat decaying plant matter; adults feed on flower nectar. - **Primary Foods:** nectar, decaying leaves, fungi, honeysuckle leaves, bramble leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Common Pipistrelle (*Pipistrellus pipistrellus*) — A common bat species that preys on flying moths at night. - **Eaten by:** Garden Cross Spider (*Araneus diadematus*) — Adult moths often get caught in spider webs while flying. - **Eats:** [Honeysuckle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/honeysuckle) (*Lonicera periclymenum*) — Its caterpillars feed on the leaves of this climbing plant. - **Eats:** Common Bramble (*Rubus fruticosus*) — Rosy Tabby larvae also consume the leaves of wild bramble bushes. - **Pollinates:** [Cornflower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cornflower) (*Centaurea cyanus*) — As adults, they visit flowers like cornflower to sip nectar. ## 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. - [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. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [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 observe them without touching. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Rosy Tabby? 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 Rosy Tabby's wingspan? 18-23 mm ### How big is Rosy Tabby? 8-12 mm ### How long does Rosy Tabby live? 7-14 days ### How fast can Rosy Tabby fly? 8 km/h ### What does Rosy Tabby eat? Adults sip sweet nectar, while their caterpillars munch on decaying leaves and plant bits. ### Where is Rosy Tabby usually found? Gardens and fields ### How does Rosy Tabby 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: [Rosy Tabby: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rosy-tabby)