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White-dotted Prominent

Nadata gibbosa

The White-dotted Prominent is a special caterpillar that turns into a beautiful moth. It has white dots on its body that help it blend in with the leaves, making it hard for predators to see!

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The White-dotted Prominent is a creamy white to pale yellowish-brown moth with a distinctive, raised tuft of scales on its thorax, giving it a 'humped' appearance. Its forewings feature wavy dark lines and a small, often obscure, white dash or dot near the center, making it visually unique among similar-sized moths.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyNotodontidaeGenusNadata
White-dotted Prominent
furry trait badgesolitary trait badgecamouflaged trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
White-dotted Prominent

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Its caterpillars are masters of disguise, often looking exactly like a chewed leaf edge to hide!

The adult moth has a funny, furry 'hump' on its back, giving it a unique silhouette.

The tiny white dot on its wing, which gives it part of its name, can sometimes be hard to spot!

Unlike many insects, adult White-dotted Prominent moths often don't eat at all during their adult life!

Special abilities

Ability

Disguise Master

White-dotted Prominent caterpillars can perfectly mimic dead twigs or chewed leaf edges, helping them blend seamlessly into their surroundings.

Ability

Bat Ear Detector

This moth has special hearing organs on its chest that help it detect the ultrasonic calls of hunting bats, allowing it to escape danger.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
35-50 mm
Size
20-25 mm
Lifespan
60-90 days
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Caterpillars munch on tree leaves; adults usually don't eat.

Age differences: Larvae (caterpillars) are herbivorous, feeding on tree leaves. Adults typically do not feed, relying on energy stored from the larval stage.

Primary Foods

  • Oak leaves
  • Maple leaves
  • Birch leaves
  • Beech leaves

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch insects, as some can be delicate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is White-dotted Prominent's wingspan?

35-50 mm

How big is White-dotted Prominent?

20-25 mm

How long does White-dotted Prominent live?

60-90 days

What does White-dotted Prominent eat?

Caterpillars munch on tree leaves; adults usually don't eat.

Where is White-dotted Prominent usually found?

Forests

How does White-dotted Prominent hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does White-dotted Prominent have?

6

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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