Pink-striped Oakworm Moth

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

Identified on: 4/21/2026