Insect
Ailanthus Webworm Moth
Atteva aureaAlso known as Ailanthus Webworm
Ailanthus webworm moths are vibrant diurnal insects whose striking orange, white, and black forewings provide effective mimicry against predators. Social caterpillars live together in large communal silk webbing spun over foliage, skeletonizing leaves before pupating suspended within the mesh. Originally limited to tropical regions where native Simaroubaceae grew, the species staged a dramatic northward expansion across North America following the widespread introduction of the invasive tree-of-heaven.
DiurnalColorfulPollinator
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyGoldenrod nectar, Aster nectar, Boneset nectar
Predators
- Insectivorous birds
- Jumping spiders
- Paper wasps
ThreatsSevere winter freezes and broad-spectrum pesticide application
HabitatsForest edges, disturbed fields, roadsides, and suburban gardens
Life span2–4 weeks as adults; up to several months including larval stages
Classification
- OrderLepidoptera
- FamilyAttevidae
- GenusAtteva
- SpeciesAtteva aurea
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Flowering Borders: Look closely at goldenrod, milkweed, and boneset blossoms on warm sunny afternoons where adults feed alongside bees.
- Web Search: Inspect tree-of-heaven saplings in midsummer to spot the communal silk nests packed with striped caterpillars.
- Gentle Approach: Move slowly when photographing adults, as they fly rapidly if a shadow passes directly overhead.
Host Plant (c) Nicola van Berkel, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Nicola van Berkel · cc-by-sa
Host Plant (c) Robert Webster, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Frequent Companion (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Competitor (c) WanderingMogwai, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Keep collecting in Fauna
Found in Collections
Species set
Moonlight Marvels
Ailanthus Webworm Moth is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
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