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Small Ermine Moths

Yponomeuta

Small Ermine Moths are tiny, fluffy insects that look like little white clouds fluttering around. They love to fly in gardens and fields, making them a fun sight to see!

Habitat: Gardens

Appearance

The Small Ermine Moths have slender white bodies and pure white forewings. Their wings are adorned with distinctive small black dots arranged in neat rows. This pattern makes them look elegant and can help them blend in with light-colored surroundings.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyYponomeutidaeGenusYponomeuta
Small Ermine Moths
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Small Ermine Moths

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Adult Small Ermine Moths have no mouthparts and don't eat!

Hundreds of tiny caterpillars can live together inside one big web.

Some caterpillars build massive silky "castles" to live in!

They sometimes completely cover trees with their stunning, delicate white webs!

Special abilities

Ability

Silken Shelter Builders

Small Ermine Moths larvae can weave huge communal silk tents that protect hundreds of caterpillars from predators and weather.

Ability

Leaf-Devouring Swarms

Small Ermine Moths larvae has the ability to strip entire trees of leaves because they feed together in large groups.

Ability

Toxic Taste Testers

Small Ermine Moths larvae can store plant toxins in their bodies that helps them taste bad to hungry predators.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
16-25 mm
Size
8-12 mm
Lifespan
10-20 days
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Larvae munch on tree leaves to grow, while adults mostly don't eat, focusing on reproduction.

Age differences: Larvae are voracious leaf-eaters; adults are short-lived and typically do not feed or only sip nectar.

Primary Foods

  • Apple leaves
  • Hawthorn leaves
  • Bird cherry leaves
  • Spindle leaves

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eats

Great Tit

Parus major

Birds feed on larvae and adult moths.

eats

Greater Mouse-eared Bat

Myotis myotis

Bats are nocturnal predators of adult moths.

eats

Apple tree

Malus domestica

Caterpillars feed on the leaves of apple trees.

eats

Hawthorn

Crataegus monogyna

Larvae devour the foliage of hawthorn plants.

parasitizes

Ichneumon wasp

Diadegma armillata

Wasps lay eggs inside the caterpillars.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

These moths are safe to watch, but remember not to touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Small Ermine Moths's wingspan?

16-25 mm

How big is Small Ermine Moths?

8-12 mm

How long does Small Ermine Moths live?

10-20 days

What does Small Ermine Moths eat?

Larvae munch on tree leaves to grow, while adults mostly don't eat, focusing on reproduction.

Where is Small Ermine Moths usually found?

Gardens

How does Small Ermine Moths hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Small Ermine Moths have?

6

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