# Salt Marsh Moth (*Estigmene acrea*) The Salt Marsh Moth is a beautiful insect with soft, fuzzy wings. It loves to fly around in warm weather and can often be found near salt marshes, where it lays its eggs. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 12 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![Salt Marsh Moth](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Male_Salt_Marsh_Moth%252C_Megan_McCarty112.jpg&width=800) Photo: Meganmccarty, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Male_Salt_Marsh_Moth%252C_Megan_McCarty112.jpg) ## Appearance The Salt Marsh Moth has fuzzy, white forewings often spotted with black, and bright orange-yellow hindwings that also feature black spots. Its body is yellow or orange with black markings, making it stand out from many plain white moths. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Erebidae - **Genus:** Estigmene ## Interesting facts - Adult moths don't eat at all; they live off energy stored as caterpillars! - Caterpillars grow by shedding their skin many times, like changing outfits! - Its caterpillar is called a 'Woolly Bear' and can survive cold by freezing! - Some caterpillars can munch through hundreds of leaves in their lifetime! ## Special abilities - **Bristly Bodyguard:** Salt Marsh Moth caterpillars are covered in stiff hairs that help protect them from predators who might try to eat them. - **Toxic Taste:** Salt Marsh Moth caterpillars can eat poisonous plants and store toxins, making them unappetizing to birds and other predators. - **Flashy Warning:** Adult Salt Marsh Moths have bright hindwings that they flash to startle predators, giving them a chance to escape quickly. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 40-60 mm - **Size:** 15-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 5-10 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Caterpillars are plant-eaters, munching on many kinds of leaves, while adult moths do not eat. - **Age differences:** Caterpillars eat many plants, but adult moths do not feed, relying on stored energy. - **Primary Foods:** dandelion, plantain, ragweed, sunflower, clover, corn - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-brown-bat) (*Myotis lucifugus*) — Bats hunt adult moths at night using echolocation. - **Eaten by:** [Black-capped Chickadee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-capped-chickadee) (*Poecile atricapillus*) — Birds often snatch caterpillars and adult moths for a meal. - **Depends on:** [Common Dandelion](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-dandelion) (*Taraxacum officinale*) — Caterpillars munch on leaves of dandelions and other common weeds. - **Eaten by:** Tachinid Fly (*Exorista larvarum*) — Tachinid flies lay eggs on caterpillars, which are then eaten by the fly larvae. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [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. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [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. - [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 generally safe, but it's best to look and not touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Salt Marsh 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 Salt Marsh Moth's wingspan? 40-60 mm ### How big is Salt Marsh Moth? 15-25 mm ### How long does Salt Marsh Moth live? 5-10 days ### How fast can Salt Marsh Moth fly? 15 km/h ### What does Salt Marsh Moth eat? Caterpillars are plant-eaters, munching on many kinds of leaves, while adult moths do not eat. ### Where is Salt Marsh Moth usually found? Coastal areas ### How does Salt Marsh Moth hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Franks Tract State Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/franks-tract-state-recreation-area) — California, US · State Park - [Gensburg-Markham Prairie](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gensburg-markham-prairie) — Illinois, US · Nature Reserve - [High Trestle Trail](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/high-trestle-trail) — Iowa, US · Trail - [Cairo Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cairo-historic-district) — Illinois, US · Historic District - [Fort Defiance](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-defiance) — Illinois, US · Historic Site - [Greenfield Courthouse Square Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/greenfield-courthouse-square-historic-district) — Indiana, US · Historic District [View all places to see Salt Marsh Moth](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/salt-marsh-moth) ## 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: [Salt Marsh Moth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/salt-marsh-moth)