Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa rubicunda)
(Photo: Marvin Smith on 5/30/09)
Rosy Maple Moth
(Dryocampa rubicunda)
(Dryocampa rubicunda)
Were there a prize given for the most widespread, numerous and eye-catching moth, the Rosy Maple would probably win. Bob Patterson on MPG says this species has been the number one generator of ID requests, from southeastern Canada to Florida.
Hodges Number: 7715
Other common names: Green-striped Mapleworm (caterpillar)
Range: Eastern North America, including most of Florida.
Habitat: Deciduous forests.
Season: May-August in north (one brood), April-September in south (2-3 broods).
Food: Adults do not feed. Hostplants for larvae are maples, Acer, or oaks, Quercus.
Life cycle: Eggs are laid in clusters of 10-30 on foliage. Early instars are gregarious. Overwinters as pupa, below ground. Adults come to lights readily.
Caterpillars: Occasionally, D. rubicunda larvae can become serious defoliators. The caterpillar is usually most important as a pest on shade and ornamental landscape maples. Damage from loss of foliage is largely aesthetic; trees usually survive and recover, but some loss in growth and dieback in the crown may occur. (Please see Auburn University site for more information and photos.)
Species information from BugGuide.
Other links:
Moths of North America
MIACY
Please visit Xenogere for the latest edition of The Moth and Me Blog Carnival, and check out Jason's fantastic images of a wingless female moth.
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16 comments:
I have photographed this one. I thought it was dead but it "came back to life." They are gorgeous. I've only seen the one and hope to find more!
Gorgeous! I wish they made it this far west. What a treat that would be.
We do have these pretty little moths around here. They always suprise me to see them sitting in the lawn or whereever I see them. Those colors are so unusual.
It is a pretty one too.
I saw my first honey bee of the season...Spring is waking up!
It seems as if it has been an extra cold and wet Winter this year.
Sherry
Wow. Looks like a little princess showgirl. Wow.
Wow...so amazing! Reminds me of salt water taffy at Coney Island.
It looks like it belongs in an easter basket. Beautiful colors!
Beautiful - thanks for sharing.
If you didn't just show me a photo and tell me that moth was real, I'd swear it was made up! Never ever seen one!
Okay, so this is the prettiest moth I've ever seen!
I love rosy maples! such a well named moth. Beautiful image Marvin :)
gypsy rose lee of the moth world! ;) lol
The only word for this is 'spectacular'!! What an interesting combination of colors.
What a beautiful moth that is...
Wow! I've never seen such a pastel-ly colored moth. This one reminds me of cotton candy. I will keep my eye out for this one the next time I head to the Ozarks. (I vacationed there last year - it was great!)
That color combination is just awesome and beautiful!
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