Fall Cankerworm Moth
ExploreInsects
Fall Cankerworm Moth
Alsophila pometaria
The Fall Cankerworm Moth is a small moth that comes out in the fall. It has soft wings and is often seen fluttering around trees, especially apple trees!
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Fall Cankerworm Moth's male has mottled, brownish-gray forewings and lighter hindwings, sometimes with a darker band. Females are distinctively wingless, with a small, spider-like gray body, often resembling a tiny knot on a tree branch.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyGeometridaeGenusAlsophila
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Mass outbreaks of caterpillars can completely strip forests bare of leaves!
Only male Fall Cankerworm Moths have wings and can fly!
Their caterpillars are called 'inchworms' because of their unique looping walk.
Wingless females crawl up trees to lay their eggs in the canopy!
Special abilities
Ability
Silk Spinner
Fall Cankerworm Moth caterpillars can drop from trees on a silk thread to escape predators or move to new leaves.
Ability
Branch Mimicry
Their caterpillars can vary in color from green to brown, allowing them to perfectly blend in with twigs and leaves.
Ability
Wingless Climber
Female Fall Cankerworm Moths are unique because they have no wings, which helps them conserve energy to crawl up trees.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 25-35 mm
- Size
- 7-15 mm
- Lifespan
- 7-21 days
- Flight Speed
- 5 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
As caterpillars, they munch on tree leaves; adults don't need to eat!
Age differences: Caterpillars are voracious leaf-eaters, while adult moths do not feed.
Primary Foods
- Oak leaves
- Elm leaves
- Maple leaves
- Apple leaves
- Cherry leaves
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eats
Northern Red Oak
Quercus rubra
Caterpillars feed on its leaves during spring.
eats
Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum
Caterpillars are known to defoliate its leaves.
eaten by
Black-capped Chickadee
Parus atricapillus
Birds prey on both cankerworm caterpillars and adult moths.
parasitizes
Cankerworm Egg Parasitoid
Telenomus alsophilae
Tiny wasps lay eggs inside cankerworm moth eggs.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
It's best to watch these moths from a distance and not touch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fall Cankerworm Moth's wingspan?
25-35 mm
How big is Fall Cankerworm Moth?
7-15 mm
How long does Fall Cankerworm Moth live?
7-21 days
How fast can Fall Cankerworm Moth fly?
5 km/h
What does Fall Cankerworm Moth eat?
As caterpillars, they munch on tree leaves; adults don't need to eat!
Where is Fall Cankerworm Moth usually found?
Forests
How does Fall Cankerworm Moth hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Fall Cankerworm Moth have?
6
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