Insects Active at night

White Satin Moth

Leucoma salicis

iNaturalist Wikipedia

A nocturnal beauty with shimmering, silk-like wings, the White Satin Moth is a ghostly visitor to mid-summer gardens. Known for its elegant white plumage and striking striped legs, it is a favorite for backyard naturalists using light-lure cameras.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

Wingspan of 37–50 mm (1.5–2.0 inches); body length of 15–22 mm (0.6–0.8 inches)

palette

Colors

Pure satiny white wings and body; legs are distinctively ringed with alternating black and white bands

visibility

Key Features

Shimmering silk-like white wings without markings
Black and white striped legs (tarsi)
Thickly furred white thorax
Bipectinate (feathery) antennae, larger in males

When You’ll See Them

schedule

Activity pattern Active at night

brightness_5

Peak hours 10 PM - 2 AM

calendar_month

Season June-August

restaurant

Diet Adults do not eat; larvae (caterpillars) feed on the foliage of poplars, aspens, and willows.

park

Habitat Woodland edges, riparian zones, urban parks, and suburban gardens with host trees.

Behavior

The White Satin Moth is a primarily nocturnal species that spends its daylight hours tucked away on the undersides of leaves or resting against the bark of host trees. Their brilliant white coloration, while striking, acts as a form of disruptive camouflage against the light-colored bark of poplars and birches. When darkness falls, they emerge to find mates, exhibiting a characteristic erratic and fluttering flight pattern that can make them appear like ghostly sparks in the night air.

Adults of this species are short-lived, typically surviving only a week or two with the sole purpose of reproduction. They are highly phototactic, meaning they are strongly attracted to artificial light sources. This behavior often brings them into close proximity with human dwellings, where they can be found resting on window screens or near porch lights during the mid-summer months. Unlike their voracious larval stage, the adult moths do not possess functional mouthparts and do not feed at all.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

To capture high-quality images of the White Satin Moth, position your AI camera near its preferred host trees: poplars, willows, or cottonwoods. Because these moths are nocturnal and highly attracted to light, the most effective strategy is to set up a 'moth sheet'—a white cloth illuminated by a UV or mercury vapor light—and mount your camera 2–3 feet away from the fabric. The AI will easily trigger on the high-contrast white wings against a darker or neutral background.

If you prefer a more natural setting, place your camera with a macro lens or close-focus capability directed at the trunk of a poplar tree about 4–5 feet off the ground. During the peak of July, males are often found resting on the bark waiting for females. Ensure your camera's infrared flash is optimized for close-range subjects to avoid 'white-out' photos, as the moth's satiny wings are highly reflective and can easily overexpose in IR light.

For the best identification shots, try to capture an angle that shows the legs. The black-and-white banding on the legs is the definitive way to distinguish the White Satin Moth from similar-looking species like the Fall Webworm. Set your camera to take short 5-second video clips; the way the moth vibrates its wings before take-off is a fascinating behavior that adds great value to your wildlife collection.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with White Satin Moth.

Fall Webworm Moth

Smaller with a more 'matte' white appearance and often features small black dots on the forewings.

Virginian Tiger Moth

Has a yellow or orange abdomen with black spots, whereas the White Satin Moth is entirely white on its body.

Browse all Insects arrow_forward

Frequently Asked Questions

White Satin Moths are strictly nocturnal. They are most active during the darkest hours of the night, typically between 10:00 PM and 2:00 AM, especially on warm, humid nights in July and August.

The most effective way to attract them is by planting host trees like poplars or willows. To see them up close, you can use a 'light trap' or simply leave a porch light on near a white wall during the summer months.

Adult White Satin Moths do not eat at all; they live only long enough to mate and lay eggs. However, their caterpillars are 'defoliators' that eat the leaves of willow, poplar, and aspen trees.

Yes, they are very common in suburban areas throughout their range, as they frequently inhabit ornamental poplars and willows found in residential landscaping and city parks.

While both are white, the White Satin Moth has a shimmering, satiny texture to its wings and lacks the small black spots often found on Fall Webworms. The most reliable giveaway is the legs: White Satin Moths have distinct black and white striped legs.

Record White Satin Moth at your habitat

Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.

Join free Identify a photo