leucostigma (South Carolina, from Georgia and Florida to Texas) Large larvae are mostly attacked by birds, and small larvae mostly disappear during dispersal. leucostigma and could possibly have an impact in years when E. The fungus Entomophaga maimaiga was introduced to North America to control the spongy moth ( Lymantria dispar). ![]() Outbreaks are usually ended by viral disease. Defoliating outbreaks are occasionally reported especially on Manitoba maple and elm in urban areas. The caterpillars may be found feeding on an extremely wide variety of trees, both deciduous and coniferous, including apple, birch, black locust, cherry, elm, fir, hackberry, hemlock, hickory, larch, oak, rose, spruce, chestnut, and willow. The males are gray with wavy black lines and a white spot on the forewings (the vapourer, Orgyia antiqua, is similar but is a rusty color.) The antennae are very feathery. The females have reduced wings and do not leave the vicinity of the cocoon. The caterpillars spin a grayish cocoon in bark crevices and incorporate setae in it. Young larvae skeletonize the surface of the leaf, while older larvae eat everything except the larger veins. Touching the hairs sets off an allergic reaction in many humans. There’s a theory that the four white tufts mimic the external cocoons of parasitic wasps. Four white toothbrush-like tufts stand out from the back, and a gray-brown hair pencil is at the hind end. Bright red defensive glands are seen on the hind end of the back. The head is bright red and the body has yellow or white stripes, with a black stripe along the middle of the back. The larvae are brightly colored, with tufts of hair-like setae. ![]() They overwinter in the egg stage.Įggs are laid in a single mass over the cocoon of the female, and covered in a froth. Two or more generations occur per year in eastern North America. ![]() So named because, when at rest, the moth stretches forward its forelegs like arms. The genus name Orgyia is from the ancient Greek word ὄργυια, órgyia - 'outstretched arms'. The caterpillar is very common especially in late summer in eastern North America, extending as far west as Texas, California, and Alberta. ![]() The species was first described by James Edward Smith in 1797. In this case the benefits of this particular colour scheme are obvious, because the host plant of this species is the evening primrose, with varieties of bright yellow, white, and pink flowers with yellow centres.Orgyia leucostigma, the white-marked tussock moth, is a moth in the family Erebidae. This is certainly seen in the primrose moth ( Schinia florida), another North American native that flaunts a similar bright pink and yellow colouring. Many insects use bright colours to signal their unpalatability, which is known asaposematic behaviour, and field studies have found that rosy maple moths are not particularly favoured even amongst birds, and these are their top predators.Īlternatively, it’s been suggested that the rosy maple moth’s colouring gives it the appearance of flower parts, and so acts as a type of camouflage. It’s not known for sure why the rosy maple moth is coloured the way it is, but the pinks and yellows could serve as a warning to would-be predators, just as the large horns on the juveniles do. Rosy maple moth.□□□ /x9vGb37GoC- AnsteyL OctoRosy maple moth colours a mystery
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