| Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa rubicunda) (Fabricius, 1793) |
| Other names: Green-striped Mapleworm (caterpillar) |
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Dryocampa rubicunda is common and widespread in eastern North America; from northwestern Ontario to Nova Scotia, and south to eastern Texas and most of Florida. It inhabits temperate deciduous forests and woodlands, including suburban areas. The Rosy Maple Moth is one of the smallest of the silk moths; wingspan 32-55 mm. Variable in color; the body is woolly, yellow dorsally, and pink ventrally, but could be white or cream. The forewing with a triangular yellow, cream, or white band, and pink edges; the hindwing is yellow. The larva is green with pale blue-green stripes and black horn-like projections. The preferred host trees are maples, e.g., Red Maple (Acer rubrum), Sugar Maple (A. saccharum), and Silver Maple (A. saccharinum), but also oaks (Quercus spp.), American Beech (Fagus grandifolia), and American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis). The caterpillars, when numerous, may defoliate host trees. The adults do not feed. One generation in the north (May-August), and two-three in the south (March-October).
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