### Identification The Acorn Moth (*Blastobasis glandulella*) is a master of woodland camouflage. With a wingspan of 15–25 mm, it is small and easily overlooked. The forewings are elongated and lance-shaped, colored in mottled shades of grayish-tan or "dusty" brown that mimic the texture of weathered bark. Look for two or three faint, dark discal spots and a subtle, jagged transverse line across the wing. A key field mark for the observant naturalist: the labial palpi (mouthparts) curve upward like tiny, elegant tusks. In males, the base of the antenna is noticeably thickened, a structural "notch" used to distinguish them from similar-looking *Gelechiid* moths.
### Habitat & Range This species is a staple of deciduous ecosystems across Eastern North America, ranging from southern Canada down to the Gulf Coast. They are most abundant in oak-hickory forests but are equally at home in suburban parks and backyards—anywhere a mature oak tree drops its fruit.
### Behaviour Strictly nocturnal, these moths spend their days pressed flat against tree trunks, their cryptic coloration rendering them nearly invisible to predators. At night, they are frequent visitors to backyard light traps. The most interesting behavior occurs at the larval stage: instead of wandering, the larvae are "homebodies," living their entire lives inside a single fallen acorn. You can often spot "infested" acorns on the forest floor by looking for small exit holes plugged with silk and frass (insect waste).
### Diet As the name suggests, the larvae are specialist granivores, feeding almost exclusively on the internal meats of acorns (*Quercus*). While they occasionally bore into hickory nuts, the tannin-rich interior of an acorn is their primary fuel source.
### Fascinating Fact The Acorn Moth is a clever "squatter." Because the shell of a healthy acorn is incredibly tough to pierce, these moths often wait for an Acorn Weevil to drill a hole first. Once the weevil exits, the moth moves in to lay its eggs, utilizing the pre-drilled tunnel like a key to a furnished apartment!