Body Parts of an Ermine Moth

Head

• The head is the smallest part of an ermine moth's body. It is typically white in color and has two long antennae on top. The antennae allow the moth to smell. The mouth lies on the front part of the head and is attached to a coiled tongue. The tongue only straightens out during feeding time. Black compound eyes can be found on either side of the head.

Thorax

• The thorax, which is also white in ermine moths, is the middle part of the body. It connects to all three sets of the moth's legs. The first pair of legs are called the fore legs. They themselves are made up of four sections, the last of which is the foot. Ermine moths can taste through their feet. The middle legs are the next set of legs. The middle legs are unique because they have spurs. The hind legs are the last set of legs. Both the thorax and all sets of legs are white.

Abdomen

• The abdomen of ermine moths is comprised of 10 separate segments. The abdomen is white in color and makes up most of the moth's length. It houses all of the ermine's internal organs. It is shaped like a stretched out tear drop. It is moderate in width where it connects to the thorax. It slowly widens until its width peaks in the middle. It then narrows until it forms a small, thin tip at the end of the body.

Wings

• Ermine moths typically have a wingspan that ranges from 10 to 26 mm. Both the front and hind wings are a whitish silver color and are covered with small black dots. The front wings are about 50 percent larger than the hind wings. The wings of an ermine moth have a soft feathery feel to them.