ExploreInsects

Silver Y

Autographa gamma

The Silver Y is a pretty moth with shiny silver markings on its wings. It loves to fly around gardens and fields, especially at night when it's cooler.

Habitat: Gardens and fields

Appearance

The Silver Y is a medium-sized moth, typically greyish-brown with mottled forewings. Its most striking feature is a distinct, metallic silver Y-shaped mark (or gamma symbol) on each forewing. Its hindwings are plain grey, becoming lighter towards the body, distinguishing it from other similar moths.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyNoctuidaeGenusAutographa
Silver Y
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Silver Y

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

A Silver Y moth often flies during the day, which is quite unusual for most nocturnal moths!

Sometimes, millions migrate together, forming a huge cloudy stream across the sky!

These moths can warm up their bodies by shivering their muscles, even when it's chilly!

Wow, they can fly across entire seas, like the English Channel, in just one night!

Special abilities

Ability

Super Migrator

Silver Y can fly thousands of kilometers across continents, helping them find new food and breeding grounds.

Ability

Hovering Master

Silver Y can hover in the air like a hummingbird, which helps them drink nectar from tricky flowers.

Ability

Bat Ear

Silver Y has special ears on its chest that help them hear high-pitched bat calls, avoiding night-time predators.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
35-45 mm
Size
14-17 mm
Lifespan
10-20 days
Flight Speed
25 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Young Silver Y caterpillars munch on plants, while adults drink sweet flower nectar.

Age differences: Caterpillars eat leaves from various plants, while adult moths feed solely on flower nectar.

Primary Foods

  • Nectar
  • Cabbage leaves
  • Nettle leaves
  • Dandelion leaves
  • Pea plants

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Great Tit

Parus major

Birds actively hunt and eat Silver Y moths during the day.

eaten by

Brown Long-eared Bat

Plecotus auritus

Bats use echolocation to hunt flying moths at night.

pollinates

Red Clover

Trifolium pratense

Adult moths drink nectar, helping red clover grow seeds.

eats

Stinging Nettle

Urtica dioica

Caterpillars munch on nettle leaves for energy and growth.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

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 Silver Y's wingspan?

35-45 mm

How big is Silver Y?

14-17 mm

How long does Silver Y live?

10-20 days

How fast can Silver Y fly?

25 km/h

What does Silver Y eat?

Young Silver Y caterpillars munch on plants, while adults drink sweet flower nectar.

Where is Silver Y usually found?

Gardens and fields

How does Silver Y hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Silver Y have?

6

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