# Sycamore Moth (*Acronicta aceris*) The Sycamore Moth is a fluffy, grayish-brown moth that loves to rest on tree trunks. Its caterpillars are bright green and can be found munching on sycamore leaves. They are fun to spot in nature! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Sycamore Moth](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Acronicta_aceris_FvL.jpg&width=800) Photo: Fvlamoen, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acronicta_aceris_FvL.jpg) ## Appearance The Sycamore Moth has greyish-brown forewings streaked with black and a distinctive pale patch near its body. Its hindwings are plain white, and its body is covered in short grey fur. This coloration helps it blend with tree bark. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Noctuidae - **Genus:** Acronicta ## Interesting facts - Adult Sycamore Moths have no mouthparts, so they cannot eat anything at all! - It's named for the sycamore tree, whose leaves its hungry caterpillars munch on. - Its caterpillar is shockingly bright yellow, covered in fluffy white and orange hairs! - The caterpillar's long, stiff hairs can cause skin irritation if touched! ## Special abilities - **Warning Appearance:** Sycamore Moth caterpillars are brightly colored because of their startling yellow and orange hues, which warns predators they might be distasteful. - **Disguise Master:** Sycamore Moth adults have camouflaged wings that help them blend seamlessly with tree bark, making them hard for predators to spot. - **Irritating Hairs:** Sycamore Moth caterpillars have stiff, spiky hairs that can irritate a predator's skin, helping them defend against attacks. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 35-45 mm - **Size:** 15-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 5-10 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Sycamore Moth larvae munch on tree leaves, but the adults don't eat anything at all! - **Age differences:** Larvae are herbivores, feeding on tree leaves. Adults do not feed during their short lifespan. - **Primary Foods:** Sycamore leaves, Horse Chestnut leaves, Maple leaves, Oak leaves, Willow leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Sycamore Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sycamore-maple) (*Acer pseudoplatanus*) — Larvae depend on its leaves for food. - **Eats:** London Plane Tree (*Platanus acerifolia*) — Its caterpillars munch on these common tree leaves. - **Eats:** [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*) — Caterpillars also feed on oak tree leaves. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Young birds hunt and feed on its caterpillars. ## 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. - [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. - [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. - [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 Always look but don't touch insects, as some might be delicate or have tiny hairs that can irritate skin. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Sycamore 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 Sycamore Moth's wingspan? 35-45 mm ### How big is Sycamore Moth? 15-20 mm ### How long does Sycamore Moth live? 7-14 days ### How fast can Sycamore Moth fly? 5-10 km/h ### What does Sycamore Moth eat? Sycamore Moth larvae munch on tree leaves, but the adults don't eat anything at all! ### Where is Sycamore Moth usually found? Forests ### How does Sycamore Moth hunt? Foraging ## 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: [Sycamore Moth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sycamore-moth)