# Small Quaker (*Orthosia cruda*) The Small Quaker is a tiny, brown moth that loves to flutter around at night. It has soft wings and can often be found resting on tree bark or leaves during the day. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Small Quaker](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Orthosia_cruda.jpg&width=800) Photo: Fvlamoen, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Orthosia_cruda.jpg) ## Appearance The Small Quaker has a sturdy, pale reddish-brown to greyish-brown body and forewings. Its wings feature subtle wavy crosslines and a small, dark kidney-shaped spot near the center. It typically lacks bright markings, blending well with its surroundings. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Noctuidae - **Genus:** Orthosia ## Interesting facts - Adult Small Quakers are attracted to light, so you might spot them near lamps! - Its caterpillars munch on many tree leaves like oak and birch! - They have a special coiled 'tongue' called a proboscis to sip nectar. - This moth only lives for a few weeks as an adult, but spends months as a caterpillar! ## Special abilities - **Nighttime Cloak:** Small Quaker has mottled brown wings that help them blend perfectly with tree bark, making them almost invisible to predators during the day. - **Spring's First Flier:** Small Quaker can emerge and fly in late winter/early spring, allowing them to find mates and food before many other insects. - **Sweet Sap Sipper:** Small Quaker can drink sugary tree sap, providing vital energy when nectar from flowers is still scarce in early spring. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 30-38 mm - **Size:** 10-15 mm - **Lifespan:** 15-30 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Caterpillars munch leaves, while adults sip nectar and tree sap from plants. - **Age differences:** Caterpillars feed on tree leaves, while adult moths feed on nectar and tree sap. - **Primary Foods:** Quercus robur (Oak leaves), Betula pendula (Birch leaves), Ulmus minor (Elm leaves), Salix caprea (Goat Willow nectar/sap), Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn nectar) - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Common Oak (*Quercus robur*) — Larvae feed on the leaves of oak trees. - **Pollinates:** Goat Willow (*Salix caprea*) — Adult moths visit early flowering willows for nectar and sap. - **Eaten by:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-brown-bat) (*Myotis lucifugus*) — Nocturnal bats hunt adult moths while they are flying. - **Eaten by:** [Eurasian Blue Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-blue-tit) (*Cyanistes caeruleus*) — Bird species prey on the caterpillars during their larval stage. ## 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. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [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. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [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 to observe, but don't touch them as they can be delicate. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Small Quaker? 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 Small Quaker's wingspan? 30-38 mm ### How big is Small Quaker? 10-15 mm ### How long does Small Quaker live? 15-30 days ### What does Small Quaker eat? Caterpillars munch leaves, while adults sip nectar and tree sap from plants. ### Where is Small Quaker usually found? Forests ### How does Small Quaker hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Small Quaker have? 6 ## 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: [Small Quaker: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/small-quaker)