# The White-Point (*Mythimna albipuncta*) The White-Point is a small, beautiful moth with white spots on its wings. It loves to fly around gardens and fields, especially at night when it's cooler. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![The White-Point](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Aletia_albipuncta01.jpg&width=800) Photo: Attribution · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aletia_albipuncta01.jpg) ## Appearance The White-Point is a medium-sized moth with pale brownish-grey forewings. It has a distinctive, bright white dot near the center of each forewing, which gives it its name. Its hindwings are plain grey, subtly darkening towards the edges. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Noctuidae - **Genus:** Mythimna ## Interesting facts - Adult White-Points don't have mouths for chewing; they use a straw-like tongue to sip nectar! - Its caterpillars are sometimes called 'cutworms' because they can snip plant stems! - Some White-Points are amazing travelers, flying hundreds of kilometers across countries! - White-Point moths have ears on their chest that help them detect bat predators! ## Special abilities - **Night Navigator:** The White-Point can fly and find food in complete darkness because of its sensitive antennae and acute night vision. - **Smell Detective:** The White-Point has super-sensitive antennae that help it smell other moths or tasty flowers from far away. - **Shape-Shifter Life:** The White-Point can transform completely from a tiny egg to a caterpillar, then a pupa, and finally a flying moth. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 35-42 mm - **Size:** 15-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Its caterpillars munch on grasses, while adult moths sip sweet nectar from flowers. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat leaves and grasses, while adult moths drink nectar from flowers. - **Primary Foods:** Grasses, Cereal crops, Nectar - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-brown-bat) (*Myotis lucifugus*) — Hunts flying moths at night. - **Eats:** Perennial Ryegrass (*Lolium perenne*) — Its caterpillars munch on leaves. - **Pollinates:** Spear Thistle (*Cirsium vulgare*) — Adult moths visit flowers for nectar. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [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. - [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 gentle creatures, but it's best to watch them from a distance and not touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify The White-Point? 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 The White-Point's wingspan? 35-42 mm ### How big is The White-Point? 15-20 mm ### How long does The White-Point live? 7-14 days ### How fast can The White-Point fly? 15 km/h ### What does The White-Point eat? Its caterpillars munch on grasses, while adult moths sip sweet nectar from flowers. ### Where is The White-Point usually found? Grasslands ### How does The White-Point 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: [The White-Point: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/the-white-point)