# Tree-lichen Beauty (*Cryphia algae*) Tree-lichen Beauty is a beautiful moth that loves to rest on tree bark. Its wings look like the lichen on trees, helping it hide from predators. This makes it a special friend of the forest! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Tree-lichen Beauty](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Cryphia_algae01.jpg&width=800) Photo: Attribution · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cryphia_algae01.jpg) ## Appearance The Tree-lichen Beauty is a small, mottled grey, green, and white moth with wings that strikingly mimic the texture and colour of tree lichen. Its irregular wing patterns and frilly edges help it blend seamlessly with bark. This incredible camouflage makes it almost invisible on lichen-covered trees. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Noctuidae - **Genus:** Cryphia ## Interesting facts - Adult Tree-lichen Beauty moths don't eat at all! They live off energy stored as caterpillars. - Look closely! Sometimes actual tiny fungi grow on their wings, adding to their disguise! - Their caterpillars change color as they grow, perfectly matching the lichen they munch on! - This tiny moth belongs to a family called 'owlet moths,' known for many larger species! ## Special abilities - **Masters of Disguise:** Tree-lichen Beauty can disappear against tree bark because its wings have intricate patterns that perfectly mimic lichen, helping them avoid predators. - **Lichen Munchers:** Tree-lichen Beauty caterpillars have a specialized diet because they can digest and thrive exclusively on tree lichens, a food source few other insects use. - **Night Navigator:** Tree-lichen Beauty can fly safely at night because its excellent night vision allows it to navigate and find mates in the dark, avoiding diurnal predators. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-32 mm - **Size:** 12-16 mm - **Lifespan:** 250-365 days - **Flight Speed:** 5-15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Caterpillars munch on tree lichens, while adult moths do not feed. - **Age differences:** Larvae consume lichens, while adult moths do not feed, relying on stored energy from their larval stage. - **Primary Foods:** Crustose lichens, Foliose lichens, Tree lichens - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Common Pipistrelle (*Pipistrellus pipistrellus*) — Eats adult moths flying at night. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Forages for larvae and adult moths on bark. - **Eats:** Common Orange Lichen (*Xanthoria parietina*) — Larvae feed on this and other tree lichens. ## Traits - [Lichen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/lichen): This trait describes a composite organism resulting from a symbiotic association between a fungus and a photosynthetic partner, typically an alga or cyanobacterium. - [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 watch moths from a distance and don't touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Tree-lichen Beauty? 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 Tree-lichen Beauty's wingspan? 25-32 mm ### How big is Tree-lichen Beauty? 12-16 mm ### How long does Tree-lichen Beauty live? 250-365 days ### How fast can Tree-lichen Beauty fly? 5-15 km/h ### What does Tree-lichen Beauty eat? Caterpillars munch on tree lichens, while adult moths do not feed. ### Where is Tree-lichen Beauty usually found? Forests ### How does Tree-lichen Beauty 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: [Tree-lichen Beauty: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-lichen-beauty)