Rosy Maple Moth: All You Need to Know in a Nutshell!

The Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa rubicunda) is a fascinating and colorful moth species native to North America. Known for their eye-catching color combinations, these moths display a beautiful blend of vivid hues, such as pinks, yellows, creams, and purples, with the pink and yellow variation being the most common.

Adult Rosy Maple Moths are distinctively thick and fuzzy, and males have long, comb-like antennae to detect airborne chemicals. Their color variation serves a purpose, as it provides a level of camouflage, allowing them to blend in with their surroundings in nature. With a wingspan of up to two inches in females, their appearance stands out among other moth species.

Female Rosy Maple Moths lay clusters of 10-30 eggs on the leaves of their preferred food trees, such as maple and oak trees. After hatching, the caterpillars, also known as Green-Striped Mapleworms, begin eating the host tree leaves before transforming into a fully grown moth during adulthood.

Physical Description and Coloration

Body Structure

The Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa rubicunda) is a small member of the silk moth family Saturniidae, and it has a thick, fuzzy body. Males are slightly smaller than females, with female wingspans reaching up to two inches in length ¹.

Wings and Antennae

Their wings are adorned with vibrant colors and patterns, making them an eye-catching species. Males of this species also have long, comb-like, golden antennae that are used for detecting airborne chemicals ².

Color Variations

Color variations in the Rosy Maple Moth are remarkable. They can be found in hues such as:

• Cream
• White
• Pink
• Yellow
• Purple³

The most common color combination includes pink and yellow, although various other combinations exist. Some examples of different forms are:

• Dark pink form: This is prevalent in the Ozarks, with the coloration being more concentrated on the outer and inner portions of the wings⁴.
• Lighter version: Occurs in central and northeastern Missouri⁵.
• “alba” (white) form: This is found in western and most of middle Missouri, with the moth being mostly white⁶.

To summarize, the Rosy Maple Moth is a small, colorful, and fuzzy silk moth with distinct body structures, wings, antennae, and a multitude of color variations. Their unique appearance makes them an intriguing species of moth to study and appreciate.

Habitat and Distribution

North America

The Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa rubicunda) is predominantly found in North America, inhabiting various regions across the United States and Canada.

United States and Canada

In the United States, these moths can be found from as far south as Florida and Texas, reaching up to Michigan and Minnesota. They also inhabit parts of Canada, including Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.

Specific Regions and Habitats

Rosy Maple Moths favor temperate deciduous forests and suburban areas with an abundance of oak trees. In Missouri, for example, they are prevalent in the Ozarks.

Characteristics of the Rosy Maple Moth’s preferred habitat include:

• Temperate climates
• Deciduous forests
• Suburban areas near forests
• Presence of oak trees

A comparison of Rosy Maple Moth habitat variations in North America:

Life Cycle and Reproduction

Eggs and Hatching

Rosy Maple Moths lay their eggs on the underside of leaves of their host trees, primarily maple and oak species. A few examples of host trees include:

• Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
• Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
• Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)
• Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis)

Eggs hatch in about 10 days, releasing tiny caterpillars ready to feed on leaves.

Caterpillar Development

The caterpillar stage, also known as the greenstriped mapleworm, goes through several molts or “instars” as it grows:

• First instar: predominantly black
• Later instars: develop green and yellow stripes

These caterpillars may become a pest as they can defoliate host trees, though they aren’t usually a severe threat.

Pupal Stage

After around 25 days, fully-grown caterpillars enter the pupal stage, transforming within cocoons. This metamorphosis usually takes two weeks.

Mating and Breeding Season

Adult Rosy Maple Moths emerge during late April and can be found up until September. In Missouri, they have at least two generations each year.

Below is a comparison table highlighting key differences between male and female Rosy Maple Moths:

After mating, the cycle repeats as females lay a new batch of eggs, beginning a new brood.

Behavior and Ecological Impact

Host Trees and Feeding Habits

The Rosy Maple Moth feeds on a variety of trees. Some common host trees include:

• Maple
• Oak
• Cherry

The larvae, also known as green-striped mapleworms, affect trees by eating the leaves.

Camouflage and Predation

Although the Rosy Maple Moth exhibits bright colors, it can still blend into its surroundings due to its variable coloration. Depending on the location, it appears in shades of white, yellow, cream, or pink. This helps it avoid predation.

Pest Control and Prevention

While the Rosy Maple Moth is not a significant pest for agricultural crops, the related Potato leafhopper is a known pest of maple trees in nursery production and can cause damage to other trees such as apple, ash, birch, crabapple, dogwood, elm, hickory, and redbud. Maintaining proper tree health through watering, fertilization, and pruning can help reduce the impact of these pests.

Comparison of Rosy Maple Moth and Potato Leafhopper: