Southern Pink-striped Oakworm Moth
ExploreInsects
Southern Pink-striped Oakworm Moth
Anisota pellucida
The Southern Pink-striped Oakworm Moth is a colorful moth with pink stripes! It loves to flutter around oak trees and is mostly active at night, making it a special nighttime friend in nature.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Southern Pink-striped Oakworm Moth has striking pink stripes on its forewings, contrasting with a yellowish to tan body and hindwings. Its wings are somewhat translucent. The robust body and relatively small head are also characteristic.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilySaturniidaeGenusAnisota
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Adult Southern Pink-striped Oakworm Moths don't even eat! They live off stored energy!
Its caterpillars are spiky and colorful, ranging from green to purplish-brown.
Their name "oakworm" comes from their caterpillars' love for oak leaves!
This moth spends a long time as a pupa, sometimes overwintering underground.
Special abilities
Ability
Leaf-Mimic Camouflage
Southern Pink-striped Oakworm Moth has pink and yellow stripes that help them blend perfectly with oak leaves and flowers.
Ability
Oak Leaf Muncher
Southern Pink-striped Oakworm Moth caterpillars can chew through tough oak leaves because of their strong mandibles.
Ability
Nighttime Navigator
Southern Pink-striped Oakworm Moth can fly in the dark because of its specialized vision and sensory antennae.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 35-55 mm
- Size
- 15-25 mm
- Lifespan
- 7-14 days
- Flight Speed
- 8 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Oakworm caterpillars munch oak leaves; surprisingly, adult moths do not eat at all!
Age differences: Larvae eat oak leaves, while the adult moths do not feed.
Primary Foods
- Quercus alba
- Quercus rubra
- Quercus palustris
- Quercus coccinea
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eats
White Oak
Quercus alba
Its larvae feed on the leaves of this tree.
eats
Red Oak
Quercus rubra
Its larvae also consume leaves from red oak trees.
eaten by
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
Larvae and pupae can be preyed upon by birds.
eaten by
Little Brown Bat
Myotis lucifugus
Adult moths are a food source for nocturnal bats.
Traits
Striped
Marked with parallel bands or lines of color.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
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
Don't touch moths or caterpillars you find outside; just watch them from a distance!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Southern Pink-striped Oakworm Moth's wingspan?
35-55 mm
How big is Southern Pink-striped Oakworm Moth?
15-25 mm
How long does Southern Pink-striped Oakworm Moth live?
7-14 days
How fast can Southern Pink-striped Oakworm Moth fly?
8 km/h
What does Southern Pink-striped Oakworm Moth eat?
Oakworm caterpillars munch oak leaves; surprisingly, adult moths do not eat at all!
Where is Southern Pink-striped Oakworm Moth usually found?
Forests
How does Southern Pink-striped Oakworm Moth hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Southern Pink-striped Oakworm Moth have?
6
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