# White-striped Black (*Trichodezia albovittata*) The White-striped Black is a small moth with beautiful white stripes on its black wings. It flutters around gardens and fields, bringing joy to those who spot it! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 11 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![White-striped Black](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/White-striped_Black.jpg&width=800) Photo: D. Gordon E. Robertson, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:White-striped_Black.jpg) ## Appearance The White-striped Black is a small, striking moth with velvety black wings. It features a prominent jagged white band across each forewing, creating a sharp contrast. Its slender body is also dark, adding to its distinctive appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Geometridae - **Genus:** Trichodezia ## Interesting facts - Its fuzzy body helps it stay warm when flying on cool nights! - Its scientific name, Trichodezia, means 'hairy moth', which is super accurate! - The caterpillar stage of this moth loves to munch on Touch-me-not plants! - This moth's larvae are called loopers because they move like an inchworm! ## Special abilities - **Shadow Camouflage:** White-striped Black has jagged white stripes that help them blend perfectly with dappled light and shadows, making them hard to spot. - **Night Navigator:** White-striped Black can fly expertly in the dark because they use sensitive antennae to find nectar and mates. - **Pollination Power:** White-striped Black can help plants grow by visiting flowers at night, transferring pollen as they sip nectar. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 20-25 mm - **Size:** 10-12 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-21 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Caterpillars munch on plant leaves, while adult moths sip sweet nectar from flowers. - **Age differences:** Larvae feed on leaves using chewing mouthparts, while adults have siphoning mouthparts for nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Impatiens capensis, Impatiens pallida, Flower nectar - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Orange Jewelweed (*Impatiens capensis*) — Larvae feed on its leaves. - **Eaten by:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-brown-bat) (*Myotis lucifugus*) — Moths are prey for bats. - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Birds consume larvae and adults. - **Pollinates:** [White Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-clover) (*Trifolium repens*) — Adults visit flowers for nectar. ## Traits - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of 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. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [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 usually harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify White-striped Black? 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 White-striped Black's wingspan? 20-25 mm ### How big is White-striped Black? 10-12 mm ### How long does White-striped Black live? 7-21 days ### What does White-striped Black eat? Caterpillars munch on plant leaves, while adult moths sip sweet nectar from flowers. ### Where is White-striped Black usually found? Urban areas ### How does White-striped Black hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does White-striped Black have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Green Bay Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/green-bay-botanical-garden) — Wisconsin, US · Botanical Garden - [Santiam State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/santiam-state-forest) — Oregon, US · Forest - [Wilder](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/wilder) — New Hampshire, US · Neighborhood - [Brookfield Common Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brookfield-common-historic-district) — Massachusetts, US · Historic District - [Cornell Botanic Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cornell-botanic-gardens) — New York, US · Botanical Garden - [Elkins Coal and Coke Company Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/elkins-coal-and-coke-company-historic-district) — West Virginia, US · Historic District [View all places to see White-striped Black](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/white-striped-black) ## 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: [White-striped Black: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-striped-black)