The moth that displays a striking combination of pink and yellow is the Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa rubicunda). This species belongs to the family Saturniidae, which includes the giant silk moths, though it is the smallest member of this group. The coloration is often described as resembling raspberry sherbet or a flying marshmallow. This vivid, pastel-like hue is a natural result of the pigments in the moth’s wing scales.
Identifying the Rosy Maple Moth
The adult Rosy Maple Moth is a small to medium-sized insect with a wingspan typically ranging from 32 to 58 millimeters. Its stout body is covered in a dense, soft, woolly layer of yellow hair, giving it a fuzzy appearance. The wings generally feature bright yellow or cream coloration contrasted with patches of rosy pink.
The forewings typically exhibit pink at the edges and base, with a broad yellow band running across the middle. The hindwings and the legs are frequently a shade of pink, further contributing to its unique aesthetic. However, the exact intensity and distribution of the colors can vary greatly, with some individuals appearing nearly all yellow, mostly pink, or even a pale cream or white color.
A clear difference exists between the sexes, a characteristic known as sexual dimorphism. Male Rosy Maple Moths are generally smaller than the females and possess antennae that are noticeably wider and feathery, or bipectinate. These specialized antennae allow the males to detect the airborne pheromones released by females over significant distances for mating. Conversely, the females have simpler, more slender antennae.
Where and When to Find Them
The Rosy Maple Moth is native to the deciduous forests of eastern North America. Its range extends from southern Canada down the Atlantic coast to Florida, stretching westward to eastern Texas, Minnesota, and Kansas. The presence of this moth is strongly correlated with the abundance of its host trees.
They favor habitats that include temperate deciduous forests, but they are also frequently encountered in suburban parks and urban landscapes where their preferred trees are planted. The adult moths are nocturnal, meaning they are primarily active at night, and they are often seen near exterior lights. They emerge during the warmer months, with the flight season typically running from late spring to early fall.
In the northern parts of their range, the moths usually produce a single generation (brood) between May and August. Further south, where the climate is warmer, they can produce two or three broods, active from as early as March through October. This multi-brooded nature means the moths can be seen flying across a much longer period.
The Moth’s Life Cycle and Host Plants
The entire life cycle of the Rosy Maple Moth is closely tied to its food source, the maple tree. Adult females lay clusters of 10 to 50 small, pale yellow, oval eggs on the underside of maple leaves after mating. These eggs typically hatch after about two weeks, giving rise to the larvae.
The caterpillar stage is commonly known as the green-striped mapleworm. Young larvae are gregarious, feeding in groups, but become solitary feeders as they mature. The mature larva is pale green with longitudinal stripes that can be a darker green or black, and features a prominent red or orange head.
The most distinctive larval feature is a pair of long, black, horn-like projections, which are actually thoracic setae, near the head. After feeding for several weeks and reaching a length of approximately two inches, the caterpillar descends to the ground. It burrows into the soil or leaf litter to pupate, where it overwinters before emerging as the adult moth. The adult moth lacks functional mouthparts and relies on energy reserves stored as a caterpillar.