#fairy moth

[onenicebugperday]

Unidentified fairy moth, Adelidae

Photographed in Malaysia by Nicky Bay // Website // Facebook

Shared with permission; do not remove credit or re-post!

[jenfoundabug]

This super tiny Ridings' fairy moth is fabulous <3 Adela ridingsella, Northeastern Pennsylvania, US

[hereforthefunnyguys]

Ocean Spray Fairy Moth (Adela septentrionella) being so small, so noble. Named after the flowering shrub, not the cranberry company.

[otaharuo]

キオビクロヒゲナガ、Nemophora umbripennis、4月28日、豊田市

[pollie-pockets]

Rolife Nancis dream transparents

[prisi]

Fairy Moth doodle 🧚🏾‍♂️✨

[dougdimmadodo]

Green Longhorn Moth (Adela reaumurella)

Family: Fairy Moth Family (Adelidae)

IUCN Conservation Status: Unassessed

Common and widely distributed across temperate regions of northern Africa, Asia and Europe, Green Longhorn Moths are easily distinguished from any other moth species owing to their iridescent, metallic-looking wings and the extremely long antennae seen in males (potentially growing to be three times the length of the body,) which are believed to aid in finding mates through the detection of pheromones that indicate reproductive maturity. Found mainly in forests but also occasionally spotted in open grasslands, adult Green Longhorn Moths are unusual among moths in that they are active during the day, with males gathering in large swarms of up to 30 individuals on sunny days between April and June and awaiting the arrival of females, which can be distinguished from males due to their drastically shorter antennae. When a female passes by a swarm all of the males within it will take flight in an effort to impress and mate with her, and following successful mating (which takes place while still in flight) a female will lay her eggs among leaf litter on the forest floor. The caterpillars of this species live among the leaf litter they were born on, feeding on dead leaves and other forms of fallen vegetation while relying on a protective bag-like casing carried on their backs (made from leaf litter held together with silk) to both conceal them and protect them when confronted by predators. Caterpillars that survive until the late summer will seal the end of their bag in order to form a cocoon within which they will pupate over the winter, emerging in the following spring as winged, mature adults.

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Image Source: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/56203-Adela-reaumurella

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