Fauna
Insect · GBIF taxon 1776476

Eight-spotted Forester Moth

Alypia octomaculata

Also known as Eight-Spotted Forester

Eight-spotted forester moths are striking, day-flying insects with velvety black wings adorned with eight prominent white to pale yellow spots. Bright orange leg tufts give them the appearance of wearing tiny leg warmers as they flutter through sunlit clearings and gardens. Their caterpillars are colorful with white, black, and orange bands, feeding voraciously on leaves of wild grape and Virginia creeper before overwintering in pupal chambers.

Day-FlyingPollinatorColorful
Eight-spotted Forester Moth reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Sam Kieschnick, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Flower nectar
  • Grape leaves
  • Virginia creeper leaves
Predators
  • Songbirds
  • Spiders
  • Parasitoid wasps
ThreatsPesticide use, habitat destruction, and removal of host vines.
HabitatsForest edges, open woodlands, overgrown fields, suburban gardens, and parks.
Life span1–2 months as adult; up to 1 year total life cycle.
Classification
  1. OrderLepidoptera
  2. FamilyNoctuidae
  3. GenusAlypia
  4. SpeciesAlypia octomaculata
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Spotting: Look for them actively fluttering during warm sunny daylight hours around wood margins.
  • Key Details: Check for the conspicuous orange leg tufts and four pale spots on each side of the wings.
  • Host Plants: Inspect wild grape and Virginia creeper foliage in summer to locate the banded caterpillars.
Related species
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Found in Collections

Species set

Moonlight Marvels

Eight-spotted Forester Moth is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.

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