National Moth Week 2023 - Rosy Maple Moth
The rosy maple moth, or Dryocampa rubicunda, is the diminutive member of the North American moth in the family Saturniidae, also known as the great silk moths. The species is known for its captivating cream or white to bright pink or yellow coloration and fuzzy body. As the common name of the species implies, the preferred host trees are maple trees. Like all other Saturniid moths, the adult moths do not eat: their final metamorphose is to mate. Males have a wingspan of 3.2 to 4.4 centimeters (1.25-1.75 inches); females of 3.8 to 5 centimeters (1.5–2 inches). Adult females lay yellow ovular eggs in groups of 10 to 40 on the underside of maple leaves within 24 hours of mating and eggs hatch after two weeks. The emerging caterpillars are known as the greenstriped mapleworm- a befitting description since they have a green body striped with greenish-bluish shades. Caterpillars have five instars; earlier stages have larger black-colored heads and pale yellow-green bodies with faint stripes....