# Small Yellow Underwing (*Panemeria tenebrata*) The Small Yellow Underwing is a pretty little moth with bright yellow wings. It loves to fly around gardens and fields, especially at night when it comes out to play! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Small Yellow Underwing](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Panemeria.tenebrata.jpg&width=800) Photo: James K. Lindsey, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Panemeria.tenebrata.jpg) ## Appearance The Small Yellow Underwing has dull brownish-grey forewings that might seem plain, but reveal bright, contrasting yellow hindwings with a distinctive black border when in flight. This striking flash of color is a key identifying feature, giving it its name. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Noctuidae - **Genus:** Panemeria ## Interesting facts - Adult moths are nocturnal, meaning they flutter around only after the sun sets. - Its caterpillars spend winter underground, waiting for spring to emerge! - Some moths can taste with their feet to find the perfect yummy plants! - This moth's plain outer wings help it disappear against tree bark during the day. ## Special abilities - **Flash of Surprise:** Small Yellow Underwing can suddenly reveal its bright yellow hindwings to startle predators, giving it a chance to escape quickly. - **Night Navigator:** Small Yellow Underwing has sensitive antennae that help them detect faint chemical trails from potential mates and food sources in the dark. - **Hidden Feeder:** Small Yellow Underwing caterpillars have powerful mandibles that allow them to munch through tough plant stems and leaves unnoticed. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 20-25 mm - **Size:** 8-12 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-20 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding This moth sips nectar from flowers, while its caterpillars munch on various plants. - **Age differences:** Adult moths drink nectar, but caterpillars eat plant leaves and stems. - **Primary Foods:** nectar, grass, dandelion, dock, clover - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Common Pipistrelle Bat (*Pipistrellus pipistrellus*) — Bats hunt adult moths at night using echolocation. - **Eats:** [Dandelion](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dandelion) (*Taraxacum officinale*) — Caterpillars feed on its leaves and roots. - **Eats:** [White Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-clover) (*Trifolium repens*) — Its leaves are a common food for the caterpillars. - **Eats:** Garden Wolf Spider (*Pardosa amentata*) — Spiders can ambush caterpillars and adult moths. ## 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. - [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. - [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. - [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 Small Yellow Underwing? 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 Yellow Underwing's wingspan? 20-25 mm ### How big is Small Yellow Underwing? 8-12 mm ### How long does Small Yellow Underwing live? 10-20 days ### What does Small Yellow Underwing eat? This moth sips nectar from flowers, while its caterpillars munch on various plants. ### Where is Small Yellow Underwing usually found? Grasslands ### How does Small Yellow Underwing hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Small Yellow Underwing 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 Yellow Underwing: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/small-yellow-underwing)