# Yellow Shell Moth (*Camptogramma bilineata*) The Yellow Shell Moth is a small, colorful moth with bright yellow wings. It loves to flutter around gardens and fields, especially in warm weather. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Yellow Shell Moth](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Camptogramma_bilineata.jpg&width=800) Photo: Eric Steinert, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Camptogramma_bilineata.jpg) ## Appearance The Yellow Shell Moth is a small, bright yellow moth with two distinct wavy brown or reddish-brown bands across its forewings. Its hindwings are paler yellow with a faint darker band. This specific pattern makes it look different from other yellow moths. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Geometridae - **Genus:** Camptogramma ## Interesting facts - Its caterpillars are called "loopers" because they walk by arching their body like a measuring tape! - Moth scales are actually tiny, flattened hairs that give their wings color and velvety texture. - Some moths, including this one, can shiver their flight muscles to warm up before taking off! - The Yellow Shell Moth can have two generations of adults flying in a single year! ## Special abilities - **Wavy Camouflage:** Yellow Shell Moth has intricate wavy wing patterns that help them blend perfectly with rustling leaves or flower petals, making them hard to spot. - **Night Vision:** Yellow Shell Moth can fly and find food in low light thanks to highly sensitive eyes that gather even faint nighttime glow. - **Nectar Siphon:** Yellow Shell Moth has a long, coiled proboscis that helps them sip sweet nectar from deep inside flowers for energy. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 20-27 mm - **Size:** 10-15 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-20 days - **Flight Speed:** 8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Caterpillars munch on leaves, while adult moths enjoy sipping sweet flower nectar. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat plant leaves, while adults only drink nectar from flowers. - **Primary Foods:** Lady's Bedstraw leaves, Cleavers leaves, Dandelion nectar, Thistle nectar - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Lady's Bedstraw (*Galium verum*) — Larvae feed on its leaves for growth. - **Eats:** [Dandelion](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dandelion) (*Taraxacum officinale*) — Caterpillars feed on its leaves and adults drink its nectar. - **Eaten by:** [European Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-robin) (*Erithacus rubecula*) — Adult moths are a food source for insectivorous birds. - **Eaten by:** Common Pipistrelle (*Pipistrellus pipistrellus*) — Nocturnal bats hunt adult moths while they fly. - **Pollinates:** [Red Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-clover) (*Trifolium pratense*) — Adult moths transfer pollen while visiting flowers for nectar. ## Traits - [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. - [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. - [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 Don't touch moths or insects you find outside; they are best enjoyed from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Yellow Shell 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 Yellow Shell Moth's wingspan? 20-27 mm ### How big is Yellow Shell Moth? 10-15 mm ### How long does Yellow Shell Moth live? 10-20 days ### How fast can Yellow Shell Moth fly? 8 km/h ### What does Yellow Shell Moth eat? Caterpillars munch on leaves, while adult moths enjoy sipping sweet flower nectar. ### Where is Yellow Shell Moth usually found? Grasslands ### How does Yellow Shell 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: [Yellow Shell Moth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-shell-moth)