White Slant-line Moth
Scientific Name: Tetracis cachexiata
Category: insect
Brief Description
A small, predominantly white moth known for its delicate appearance and distinctive wing shape, often seen resting on green foliage.
Characteristics
Features snow-white wings with a faint, thin yellowish or tan line (the slant-line) running across both wings. The wings have a slightly pointed or hooked apex at the tips.
Habitat
Found in deciduous and mixed forests, woodlands, and bushy suburban areas where their host plants are present.
When to Find It
Adults are typically active from late spring to early summer (May to July) and are mostly nocturnal, though often flushed from rest during the day.
Conservation Status
Common
Ecological Role
Larvae (caterpillars) feed on a variety of woody plants including birch, willow, and alder; the moth serves as a food source for bats and birds.
Easily Confused With
The Snow-white Linden Moth (Ennomos subsignaria) is similar but usually lacks the thin slanted line and has more irregularly shaped wing margins.
Observation Tips
Look for them resting on the undersides of leaves during the day in shaded, wooded areas. They are easily attracted to light sources at night.
Interesting Facts
The larvae are 'inchworms' or loopers that mimic small twigs to avoid predation, blending perfectly with the branches of their host trees.
User Notes
Head Lake