# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Gardens and fields ![Silver Y](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Autographa.gamma.6902.jpg&width=800) Photo: Olei, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Autographa.gamma.6902.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Noctuidae - **Genus:** Autographa ## 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 - **Super Migrator:** Silver Y can fly thousands of kilometers across continents, helping them find new food and breeding grounds. - **Hovering Master:** Silver Y can hover in the air like a hummingbird, which helps them drink nectar from tricky flowers. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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 - [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. - [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. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [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 usually safe to watch, but don't touch them as they can be delicate. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Silver Y? 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 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 ## Where to spot - [Albuquerque Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/albuquerque-aquarium) — New Mexico, US · Zoo ## 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: [Silver Y: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/silver-y)