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Fall Webworm Moth

Hyphantria cunea

The Fall Webworm Moth is a fuzzy little insect that loves to spin big webs in trees. These webs can look like fluffy cotton candy and are home to many caterpillars that turn into beautiful moths.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Fall Webworm Moth has a fuzzy, stout white body and mostly pure white wings, though some individuals exhibit small, scattered black spots. It is visually distinct from most other white moths by its hairiness and often unblemished white appearance.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyErebidaeGenusHyphantria
Fall Webworm Moth
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Fall Webworm Moth

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Caterpillars of this moth can be either black-headed or red-headed, but they are both the same species!

Even though their caterpillars make enormous webs, the adult moths themselves only live for about 5-10 days.

Female Fall Webworm Moths can lay over 500 tiny eggs at once, all tucked neatly under a leaf.

The huge webs they build can completely cover tree branches, looking like spooky ghost costumes in the fall!

Special abilities

Ability

Silken Shelter Builder

Fall Webworm Moth caterpillars can spin enormous communal silk webs that protect them from predators and the weather as they feed.

Ability

Voracious Foliage Feaster

Fall Webworm Moth caterpillars can eat leaves from over 100 different kinds of trees, making them adaptable to many habitats.

Ability

Multi-Generational Multiplier

Fall Webworm Moths can complete two or more life cycles in a single warm season, helping their populations grow quickly.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
25-40 mm
Size
10-15 mm
Lifespan
5-10 days
Leg Count
6
Colony Size
800

Diet & Feeding

As caterpillars, they munch on leaves from many different kinds of trees!

Age differences: Adult moths typically do not feed or only sip nectar; all the extensive eating happens in the caterpillar stage.

Primary Foods

  • Apple leaves
  • Cherry leaves
  • Walnut leaves
  • Pecan leaves
  • Elm leaves
  • Maple leaves

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

It's best to look at the webs from a distance and not touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fall Webworm Moth's wingspan?

25-40 mm

How big is Fall Webworm Moth?

10-15 mm

How long does Fall Webworm Moth live?

5-10 days

What does Fall Webworm Moth eat?

As caterpillars, they munch on leaves from many different kinds of trees!

Where is Fall Webworm Moth usually found?

Forests

How does Fall Webworm Moth hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Fall Webworm Moth have?

6

How large are Fall Webworm Moth colonies?

800

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