1 August 2016
Can you believe the colors on this moth?
Fuzzy pink and yellow, the rosy maple moth (Dryocampa rubicunda) lives only a week in this beautiful body. Its wing colors are highly variable but its head and back are usually yellow with pink belly, legs and antennae.
Most of its life is spent as a green-striped caterpillar, eating maple leaves, and passing through five instars. When fully mature the caterpillar crawls down the tree and pupates underground.
In western Pennsylvania the moths are above ground from May to September but are easiest to find in late July. The adults don’t eat. They have only one job, to procreate.
The action begins around sunset. The females perch on the undersides of leaves and exude pheromones. The males fly around “sniffing” the air with their big fluffy antennae. Perhaps this division of labor is why the females have insignificant antennae. (My guess is that the moth in Don Weiss’ photo is female.)
If you’re lucky to see the rosy maple moth you’ll be surprised at how small it is — only 1″ long. Click here to see one on the tip of a finger.
I found one once at the Panhandle Trail in Collier Township. Its beauty stopped me in my tracks.
(photo by Don Weiss)
Amazing that you found one along the Panhandle Trail, the way they mow the wildflowers back further and further every year.
i have seen one of these moths here in florida it was in my house,they are very beautiful,
Wow I just saw one of these they are so beautiful. I’m in monroe lousiana and he just came by my car and left
I just saw one of these pink and yellow moths….i live in mohnton Pennsylvania. I’m only 10 minutes from Reading Pennsylvania….is it rare for it to be where I live???
Laura, they’re normal in PA. We just don’t notice them very often.
Spotted on this morning on my desk, Southern Berks county. PA
Saw 2 today and one a couple of years back. I’m feeling pretty special . Such a neat beautiful moth . Ontario , Canada
A friend who saw one in Northern Durham County, NC in July 2019 on the side of her house said it was 3 inches long. (Since she is a seamstress, she may have a good eye for measurements.) It would be helpful to post a photo of the caterpillar. Have you ever seen one?
I am in awe with the Rosy Maple Moth. I was away for th evening and got home and noticed this beautiful creature on th laundry room window!! Read th article and realized it’s a special treat to see these in this stage as most of their life they r a caterpillar!! Just beautiful!! I thank God for this special treat and for creating such a beautiful moth!! Thanks for th information!!!
Saw one in my yard in Sparta New Jersey
Found a bunch on my porch in vt
I just found one on a bench in Ohio, purely amazing and beautiful 🙂
I just took a picture of one this morning perched on my window! Just BEAUTIFUL!!!
Take a pic of one 2day on my deck I live in Virginia such unusual color I had to take pics
Found one with it’s wings overlapped. (Underwing over the top wing) Fixed it , I hope correctly, and will be planning to set it free later today near some maples.
In central Kansas.
Thanks for posting this. I’m looking at one now. I think it’s a female as well. I’m in the Highlands NC and it’s mid May.