This defoliation may harm the tree if it is a sapling or otherwise stressed. This does not generally harm the tree, but rather it may become an aesthetic issue since the tree may become partially or entirely bare. The larvae can damage maple trees, and in some cases, a single host tree may have hundreds of hungry caterpillars feasting on leaves. The rosy maple moth is not a particularly destructive pest. Finally, the moth emerges from its cocoon, and the cycle repeats itself. The pupal stage can last as little as two weeks or several months over winter. Larvae crawl down the tree to the ground, where they will find a shallow hole or burrow into the soil to form a pupa. As they feed and mature, the caterpillars become solitary until it is time to pupate. Eggs are laid in a cluster, and young larvae usually feed together (this is called feeding “gregariously”). The most common host species include sugar maple, silver maple, and red maple, although sometimes a turkey oak is also a host. After mating, the female lays her eggs on the underside of the host tree’s leaves.

Once adults are ready to mate, the female moth will give off pheromones to attract a male. In South Carolina, mating occurs as early as March and ends in October. Mating adults start to look for partners from early summer through fall. The rosy maple moth goes through five instars, or life cycles, from birth to death. Towards the rear, the caterpillar has a streak of red. Its head is bulbous and brilliantly red or orange, with two thick antennae perched just above the head. Also known as the greenstriped mapleworm, the caterpillar is bright neon green with faded white stripes and black dots running horizontally along its body. Males are active at night and are attracted to the. The caterpillar stage (larva) of the rosy maple moth looks quite different from the adult, but it is just as visually striking. The adults are rather short lived and live for about a week or less, females slightly longer than males. You can also check out our Bioblitz project of insect observations on iNaturalist.Rosy maple moth larvae have black stripes along their bodies and two black “horns” above their heads. Want to celebrate National Moth Week even more? Hopefully you get a wide variety of moths to look at! Step 4.įind any moths that really interest you? Check out this field guide from the Ohio Division of Natural Resources to identify the moths and discover more about them.Īnother great resource for insect identification is here. Record the moths you observe by using a camera or by drawing what you see.

Now wait for the moths to come closer! You might see them fluttering around the light, or even landing on your sheet. When it gets dark, turn on your light source. If you are using a flashlight, you can hang your sheet anywhere outside. This will let the moths have a place to rest as they are mesmerized. If you are using a porch light, hang the sheet vertically close to the light. Set up your white sheet near your outdoor light source. camera or paper and colored pencils to record your observations.light colored sheet (a white one is perfect!).light source (flashlight or porch light).Want to discover moths for yourself? Since moths are attracted to light, it is easy to observe them at night using a few tricks! Why are moths obsessed with lamps? Watch this video to see one theory.

Rosy maple moth life cycle