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Spongy Moth

Lymantria dispar

The Spongy Moth is a fuzzy caterpillar that turns into a pretty moth. It has soft, spongy-looking hairs that help it stay safe from birds and other animals.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Spongy Moth is sexually dimorphic. Males are smaller, brownish with feathery antennae. Females are larger, whitish with subtle dark wavy lines on their wings and slender antennae. Its fuzzy, buff-colored egg masses are also a key visual indicator.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyErebidaeGenusLymantria
Spongy Moth
furry trait badgesolitary trait badgeherbivorous trait badgeforest trait badge
Spongy Moth

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Adult moths don't even have mouths to eat, they just mate and lay eggs!

Caterpillars can drop from trees on silk threads to travel to new leaves!

Males can fly during the day, but females almost never fly at all!

Spongy Moth eggs survive harsh winters hidden in fuzzy, protective masses!

Special abilities

Ability

Leaf Muncher Power

Spongy Moth caterpillars can devour vast amounts of tree leaves, defoliating forests that helps them grow rapidly.

Ability

Pheromone Pilot

Male Spongy Moths can navigate long distances using sensitive antennae to sniff out female pheromones that helps them find mates.

Ability

Egg Camouflage

Female Spongy Moths lay fuzzy, buff-colored egg masses that blend seamlessly into tree bark, helping them protect offspring from predators.

Ability

Flightless Focus

Female Spongy Moths are often flightless, which helps them lay all their eggs in one concentrated spot, ensuring immediate food for hatching larvae.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
25-70 mm
Size
12-35 mm
Lifespan
7-14 days
Flight Speed
5-15 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Hungry caterpillars munch leaves from hundreds of different trees and plants.

Age differences: Only the caterpillar stage eats; adult moths do not feed.

Primary Foods

  • Oak leaves
  • Birch leaves
  • Willow leaves
  • Apple leaves
  • Poplar leaves

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eats

Common Cuckoo

Cuculus canorus

Preys on Spongy Moth caterpillars in its native range.

parasitizes

Spongy Moth Parasitoid Wasp

Apanteles disparis

Larvae parasitize Spongy Moth caterpillars.

depends on

White Oak

Quercus alba

A primary food source for Spongy Moth caterpillars.

eats

Eurasian Shrew

Sorex araneus

Consumes Spongy Moth pupae on the forest floor.

Traits

Also known as

Lymantria moth

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Don't touch the caterpillars, as their hairs can irritate your skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Spongy Moth's wingspan?

25-70 mm

How big is Spongy Moth?

12-35 mm

How long does Spongy Moth live?

7-14 days

How fast can Spongy Moth fly?

5-15 km/h

What does Spongy Moth eat?

Hungry caterpillars munch leaves from hundreds of different trees and plants.

Where is Spongy Moth usually found?

Forests

How does Spongy Moth hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Spongy Moth have?

6

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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