Bug Identifier
Pink-striped Oakworm Moth
Community identification

Pink-striped Oakworm Moth

Anisota virginiensis

Order & Family
Lepidoptera: Saturniidae
Size
Wingspan of 4.2 to 6.6 cm (approx. 1.6 to 2.6 inches)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Deciduous forests and woodlands, particularly those containing oak trees

Diet & Feeding

Adults do not feed as they have vestigial mouthparts; larvae (caterpillars) feed on foliage of oak, maple, and birch trees

Behavior Patterns

Night-flying moths that are frequently attracted to artificial lights; they undergo a single generation per year in the north and two in the south

Risks & Benefits

Generally harmless to humans; larvae can cause localized defoliation of trees but rarely kill them, and they serve as a food source for birds and small mammals