# Rosy Maple Moth (*Dryocampa rubicunda*) The Rosy Maple Moth is a fluffy, pink and yellow moth that looks like a cotton candy treat! It's a friendly garden visitor. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 30 - **Habitat:** North American forests - **Also known as:** Pink Maple Moth, Rosy Moth ![Rosy Maple Moth](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424403/objects/5595.jpg) ## Appearance The Rosy Maple Moth has a distinctive fuzzy body and wings adorned in vibrant pink and creamy yellow or white. Its striking coloration makes it look like a flying sherbet dessert, easily distinguishing it from most drab-colored moths. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Saturniidae - **Genus:** Dryocampa ## Interesting facts - Adult Rosy Maple Moths have no mouthparts and never eat! - Its caterpillars have tiny spikes but are completely harmless to touch. - Some people affectionately call these moths "sherbet moths" due to their bright colors! - They spend winter underground, hidden away as a chrysalis or pupa. ## Special abilities - **Sweet Disguise:** Rosy Maple Moth can blend into maple samaras and flowers because its pink and yellow colors mimic natural elements, helping them hide. - **Love Signal Sender:** Rosy Maple Moth can find mates over long distances because females release special scents called pheromones that males can detect. - **Night Navigator:** Rosy Maple Moth has excellent night vision that helps them fly safely and find partners when the sun goes down. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 32-52 mm - **Size:** 10-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 5-9 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adult moths don't eat; their caterpillars feast on maple leaves to grow big and strong! - **Age differences:** Adult moths do not possess mouthparts and therefore do not eat; only the larval stage (caterpillars) consumes food. - **Primary Foods:** red maple leaves, silver maple leaves, sugar maple leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** [Red Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-maple) (*Acer rubrum*) — Caterpillars feed on its leaves for sustenance. - **Eats:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-brown-bat) (*Myotis lucifugus*) — Nocturnal bats hunt adult moths flying at night. - **Eats:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Birds prey on the caterpillars and adult moths. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Rosy Maple Moth? Compare resting wing shape, forewing markings, antennae and body build. Small brown moths can hinge on fine details a phone photo can't always catch. Moth Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Rosy Maple Moth's wingspan? 32-52 mm ### How big is Rosy Maple Moth? 10-20 mm ### How long does Rosy Maple Moth live? 5-9 days ### What does Rosy Maple Moth eat? Adult moths don't eat; their caterpillars feast on maple leaves to grow big and strong! ### Where is Rosy Maple Moth usually found? North American forests ### How does Rosy Maple Moth hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Rosy Maple Moth have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Charlotte Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/charlotte-street-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District - [Chesham](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chesham) — New Hampshire, US · Historic District - [Currier Park Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/currier-park-historic-district) — Vermont, US · Historic District - [Fort Payne Boom Town Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-payne-boom-town-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Hedgesville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hedgesville-historic-district) — West Virginia, US · Historic District - [Rock House Reservation](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rock-house-reservation) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve [View all places to see Rosy Maple Moth](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/rosy-maple-moth) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Rosy Maple Moth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rosy-maple-moth)