Rosy maple moth

Rosy maple moth

Rosy maple moth

Common name: Rosy maple moth

Scientific name: Dryocampa rubicunda

Distribution: Found in North America

Description:
The rosy maple moth is a small colorful species of moth. Male moth has a wingspan of about 32-44 mm while female is slightly larger with a wingspan of 40-50 mm. Both sexes look alike with bright yellow body and hind-wings, reddish or pink upper-wings and antennae, bushy pink legs, a triangular yellow band across the back and two large black eyes.

Beautiful Rosy maple moth

Habit:

As the name implies, rosy maple moth depends on maple tree for food and to breed. Especially on red maple, sugar maple and silver maple. The female lays eggs on the back sides of maple leaves and the tiny caterpillars feed on these maple.

Rosy maple caterpillar and moth

Importance:

Although, the caterpillars become pests for maple trees sometimes, rosy maple moths play an important role in food chain. Besides that they adorn our nature with their beauty. I mean, seriously, aren’t they pretty?