The rosy maple moth has a variable coloration. In most cases, it is white, yellow, or cream-colored, with some amount of pink at the outer and inner portions of the wings. A dark pink form is most prevalent in the Ozarks, while a lighter version occurs in central and northeastern Missouri. A very pale form, called D. rubicunda alba — alba means “white” — occurs in western and most of northern Missouri. It is all white and often has a hint of pink markings.
Larvae are greenish white with an orangish-brown head. There are two elongated black horns on the second thoracic segment (the second segment behind the head). A ring of tiny black spines encircles each abdominal segment; the ones on the top and sides are very short, but the ones lowest on the sides are longer. Spines on the hind end of the caterpillar are longer. Sometimes there is a pinkish-red patch on each side of the hind end (abdominal segments 7 and 8). In some stages, lengthwise stripes run down the body.
Similar species: The pink prominent(Hyparpax aurora) has a similar coloration, but there are differences in the wing patterns; comparing photographs should help you distinguish these two unrelated species.
FAQs
Rosy maple moth adults have brilliant pink and bright yellow markings. Their legs are reddish-pink and the feathery antennae are a golden coloration. Males are slightly smaller than females. The wingspan of female rosy maple moths can get up to two inches in length.
Are rosy maple moths bad? ›
The rosy maple moth (Dryocampa rubicunda) is a silk moth in the family Saturniidae. Found throughout North America, this moth is not generally considered a pest, though its caterpillars have proven to be a nuisance to various maple tree species.
How to tell the gender of a rosy maple moth? ›
Sexual dimorphism is present in wing shape and span of rosy maple moths. Males have slightly narrower wings compared to females, and also have less rounded hindwings. Ornamentation differences are also present. Males have bipectinate antennae, while females have simple antennae.
What do rosy maple moths symbolize? ›
Rosy Maple Moth: Signifies love and emotional healing. Represents the beauty and delicacy of emotions. Death Moth (Acherontia spp.):
Do rosy maple moths play dead? ›
Adults of this species are known as "rosy maple moths" and are hairy with beautiful combinations of yellow and pink on the wings and a yellow body; they are often admired for their beauty. Adult moths will play dead when handled.
Are rosy maple moths going extinct? ›
How long does the rosy maple moth live? ›
Life cycle. Individual rosy maple moths typically live for about two to nine months. Between hatching and adulthood, the species undergoes five instars. For moths with longer life spans, much of this time is spent as a pupa over the winter months.
Is there a blue moth? ›
Dysphania palmyra, the long blue tiger moth or blue day moth, is a moth of the family Geometridae. The species was first described by Caspar Stoll in 1790. It is found in India and Sri Lanka.
What is the rosy maple moth's favorite flower? ›
The favorite host plant of Dryocampa rubicunda is maple, with sugar maple (Acer saccharum) yielding good result in captivity. Larvae of Dryocampa rubicunda are gregarious – they feed and travel in groups. However, in the later instars, the mature larvae become solitary.
Are rosy maple moths deaf? ›
Since rosy maple moths don't have auditory receptors, they're unable to receive and interpret sound waves in the way that other animals, like humans, can. Instead, these moths use their entire body to help interact with their surroundings.
Rosy maple moths are important to the ecosystem as prey. The moths and their caterpillars are a food source for birds including blue jays, black-capped chickadees, and tufted titmice. They are threatened by habitat loss, climate change, pesticides, herbicides, and light pollution.
Do rosy maple moths lay eggs? ›
Adult female moths lay clutches of 10-30 eggs on the underside of the leaves of a host plant, normally maple or oak. In about two weeks, the eggs hatch, and the caterpillars begin feeding gregariously on their host plant.
How do rosy maple moths mate? ›
Mating takes place at night on the underside of a leaf, and 24 hours later the female lays clusters of 10-30 eggs (a total of 150 – 200 eggs) on the underside of the leaves of the larvae's host plants, most often maples and oaks.
What are some interesting facts about the zodiac moth? ›
Zodiac moths, Alcides metaurus, are more common in rainforest than in our drier country. They are (obviously) a day-flying species, and belong to the Uraniidae family, Swallowtail moths. They are as large as some of our Swallowtail butterflies – Ulysses or Orchard, for instance – at about 100mm.
How long do rosy maple moths live? ›
Life cycle. Individual rosy maple moths typically live for about two to nine months. Between hatching and adulthood, the species undergoes five instars. For moths with longer life spans, much of this time is spent as a pupa over the winter months.
Are rosy maple moths attracted to light? ›
Rosy maple moths are usually found in and near the woodlands and parks where their food trees live. They come to electric lights at night.
What is the rarest moth in the world? ›
Smoky Emeror moth: One of the rarest moths ever, only found in Mexico.
