Moth of the Week: Rosy Maple Moth, Dryocampa rubicunda
Meet the Rosy Maple Moth, Dryocampa rubicunda. One of the more colorful moths, these normally fuzzy pink and yellow insects from the family Saturniidae are always a delight to see. Rosy Maple Moths live from Nova Scotia to parts of eastern Texas, and although not endangered, can be hard to find due to their shy nature.
These moths can be seen flying from May to August. Egg incubation lasts about two weeks. Caterpillars feed off of various plants, from maples to oaks. They are very sociable, except until their final two instars, when they become isolated. Pupation is relatively quick. There can be up to three generations a year depending on where the moth is. An interesting fact about this moth is that they always seem to emerge in the late afternoon to early night, and mate in the late night. Rosy Maple Moths live in deciduous forests. They are also called Green-striped Mapleworms. Caterpillars can occasionally become pests. Adults do not eat.
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Dryocampa-rubicunda
http://wildobs.com/species/Rosy-Maple-Moth
http://elmostreport.blogspot.com/2010/03/arkansas-moth-rosy-maple-dryocampa.html
