Insect · GBIF taxon 1867032
Pink-striped Oakworm Moth
Anisota virginiensisAlso known as Virginian Anisota, Pink-striped Oakworm
Pink-striped oakworm moths display striking sexual dimorphism, with smaller reddish-brown males possessing translucent wing windows while larger females feature soft purplish-pink and orange wings marked by central white dots. Adult moths lack functional mouthparts, living only long enough to mate and lay eggs on host tree leaves. Dense clusters of striped caterpillars feed communally on oak foliage throughout summer before pupating underground in shallow soil chambers.
NocturnalMothForest
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Oak Leaves
- Birch Leaves
- Maple Leaves
Predators
- Birds
- Bats
- Parasitoid Wasps
ThreatsLight pollution, habitat loss, and broad-spectrum pesticide spraying.
HabitatsDeciduous forests, oak woodlands, suburban parks, and wooded edges.
Life span1 to 2 weeks as adults; 1 year total life cycle.
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderLepidoptera
- FamilySaturniidae
- GenusAnisota
- SpeciesAnisota virginiensis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Caterpillars possess stiff spines that may cause mild skin irritation; observe without touching.
Responsible observation
- Night Observation: Look for adult moths resting near outdoor porch lights during early summer nights.
- Foliage Inspection: Check the undersides of low oak leaves in late summer to spot feeding caterpillars.
Host Plant no rights reserved · cc0
Close Relative Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Marvin Smith, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Christine Young, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Species set
Moonlight Marvels
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