# Southern Flannel Moth (*megalopyge opercularis*) The Southern Flannel Moth is a fluffy little insect that looks like it’s wearing a soft, fuzzy coat! Kids love to spot these colorful moths flitting around at night! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 7 - **Habitat:** Southern Flannel Moths live in wooded areas, gardens, and near shrubs where they can find food and shelter. - **Also known as:** Flannel Moth, Lonomia Moth, Puss Caterpillar ![Southern Flannel Moth](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Megalopyge_opercularisPCCP20040714-5799B.jpg&width=800) Photo: Patrick Coin ( Patrick Coin ), CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Megalopyge_opercularisPCCP20040714-5799B.jpg) ## Appearance The Southern Flannel Moth is a stout, fuzzy insect covered in dense, woolly hair. Its wings and body are typically cream, yellow, or orange, often appearing like a tuft of cotton or felt, distinct from most smoother-bodied moths. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Megalopygidae - **Genus:** Megalopyge ## Interesting facts - Adult Southern Flannel Moths don't have mouths and cannot eat, living only to mate! - Despite looking soft, the caterpillar's 'fur' is actually stiff, hollow spines connected to venom glands! - Some Southern Flannel Moths can be almost pure white, while others are bright golden yellow! - The Southern Flannel Moth caterpillar's sting is one of the most painful stings from any insect! ## Special abilities - **Hidden Sting:** Southern Flannel Moth caterpillars have venomous spines hidden beneath their fur that deliver a painful sting, protecting them from predators. - **Master Disguise:** As caterpillars, they blend seamlessly with tree bark and leaves because of their dense, furry coat, helping them avoid hungry birds. - **Soft Deception:** The adult moth's extremely fluffy appearance makes it seem unappetizing or like a harmless lump of fuzz, deterring some predators. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-40 mm - **Size:** 25-38 mm - **Lifespan:** 5-10 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding As caterpillars, they munch on tree leaves, but adult moths do not eat at all! - **Age differences:** Caterpillars are herbivores, while adult moths do not feed. - **Primary Foods:** Oak leaves, Elm leaves, Citrus leaves, Pecan leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Blue Jays may prey on adult moths or caterpillars. - **Parasitizes:** Parasitic Wasp (*Brachymeria ovata*) — Some parasitic wasps lay eggs inside the caterpillars. - **Eats:** [Southern Live Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/southern-live-oak) (*Quercus virginiana*) — Caterpillars primarily feed on the leaves of oak trees. - **Eaten by:** [White-footed Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-footed-mouse) (*Peromyscus leucopus*) — Mice might occasionally consume slow-moving adult moths. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [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. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [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. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Be careful not to touch the caterpillars, as they can sting! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Southern Flannel Moth? 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 Southern Flannel Moth's wingspan? 25-40 mm ### How big is Southern Flannel Moth? 25-38 mm ### How long does Southern Flannel Moth live? 5-10 days ### What does Southern Flannel Moth eat? As caterpillars, they munch on tree leaves, but adult moths do not eat at all! ### Where is Southern Flannel Moth usually found? Southern Flannel Moths live in wooded areas, gardens, and near shrubs where they can find food and shelter. ### How does Southern Flannel Moth hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Southern Flannel Moth have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Audubon Place Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/audubon-place-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Downtown Tuscaloosa Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/downtown-tuscaloosa-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fairchild-tropical-botanic-garden) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Fort Brown](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-brown) — US · Historic Site - [Shark River Slough Archeological District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shark-river-slough-archeological-district) — Florida, US · Historic District - [Ardsley Park-Chatham Crescent Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ardsley-park-chatham-crescent-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District [View all places to see Southern Flannel Moth](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/southern-flannel-moth) ## 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: [Southern Flannel Moth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/southern-flannel-moth)