Salt Marsh Moth
Estigmene acrea
What it is
Estigmene acrea (salt marsh moth or acrea moth) is a moth in the family Arctiidae. It is found in North America, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Colombia and Mexico.
Where and when to find it
- Habitat
- They live in various habitats across North America, including gardens, fields, and wetlands.
- How to find it
- Look for the white moths near lights at night. During the day, search for their very hairy, black-and-orange caterpillars on low plants.
- Best time of day
- Moths fly at night during summer months. Caterpillars are active during the day, spring through fall.
How it lives
- What it eats
- Many garden plants, weeds, and grasses
- What eats it
- Bats, birds, spiders, predatory insects
Worth knowing
- The caterpillars are sometimes called 'woolly bears' because of their fuzzy appearance.
- Adult moths are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night.
- The caterpillars can eat a wide variety of plants, making them 'generalist' eaters.
- Some people believe the amount of black on a 'woolly bear' caterpillar can predict winter weather!
- The adult moths are often mistaken for tiny pieces of cotton floating in the air.
- If you poke a caterpillar, it might curl into a ball to protect itself.
Why it matters
They are a food source for nocturnal predators like bats and birds. Their caterpillars help decompose plant matter.