Ailanthus Webworm Moth

Found in open areas, gardens, and edges of woods, especially near Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) hosts across North America and parts of Central America.

Adults feed on flower nectar from various plants; larvae feed on the leaves of Ailanthus and Simarouba trees.

Adults are diurnal (day-flying) but are also attracted to lights at night. Larvae live socially in communal silken webs on host plants, which protects them from predators.

Harmless to humans. They provide ecosystem benefits as pollinators. Though larvae can defoliate host trees, they primarily target the invasive 'Tree-of-Heaven,' providing a form of natural biological control.