Anisota peigleri

Riotte, 1975

yellowstriped oakworm, yellow-striped oakworm moth

Anisota peigleri is a to the southeastern United States, described by Jules C. E. Riotte in 1975. Previously misidentified as Anisota senatoria, this is distinguished by its activity and specific geographic range. The are specialized oak feeders that develop in gregarious clusters, causing noticeable but generally non-lethal of trees. The species completes one annually, with adults active from mid-July through late August.

Anisota peigleri by Arnold T. Drooz, USDA Forest Service, United States. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Yellow-striped Oakworm Moth - Anisota peigleri (49611606066) by Christina Butler from Georgia, United States. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Anisota peigleri2 by Arnold T. Drooz, USDA Forest Service, United States. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Anisota peigleri: /ˌænɪˈsoʊtə ˈpeɪɡləri/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from the closely related Anisota senatoria (orangestriped ) by geographic distribution—A. peigleri occurs in the southeastern U.S. while A. senatoria ranges more broadly across eastern North America. are strictly , flying during daylight hours from mid-July to late August, whereas A. senatoria adults are reportedly more or . The was formally described in 1975 based on these and other subtle morphological differences. cannot be reliably separated from A. senatoria without rearing to adults or molecular analysis.

Images

Habitat

Associated with oak-dominated forests and woodlands, particularly in upland and piedmont regions. feed on oak foliage in the ; are encountered in wooded areas and along forest edges where trees occur. The thrives in both natural forest settings and urban landscapes where oaks are planted.

Distribution

to the southeastern United States: from south-eastern Kentucky, south-western Virginia, eastern Tennessee, and western North Carolina, south through western South Carolina and central Georgia into north-central Florida. The range is more restricted than that of the similar A. senatoria.

Seasonality

(one per year). emerge from in mid-July and remain active through late August. Mating occurs from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. develop through late summer and early autumn, then descend to the ground to pupate and overwinter.

Diet

are specialized folivores feeding primarily on various oak (Quercus spp.), including pin oak (Quercus palustris). They feed in tight throughout larval development. do not feed; they rely on energy reserves accumulated during the larval stage.

Host Associations

Quercus palustris - primary explicitly documented as a larval
Quercus spp. - various oak utilized
Carya spp. - occasional hickory reported for related , not explicitly confirmed for A. peigleri
Betula spp. - occasional birch reported for related , not explicitly confirmed for A. peigleri

Life Cycle

with four stages: , , , . Females eggs on undersides of oak leaves. Larvae hatch and feed gregariously, progressing through multiple . Fully grown larvae exit trees and burrow into soil to form shallow pupal chambers. Pupae overwinter, with adults emerging the following summer. No adult feeding occurs.

Behavior

exhibit strong , feeding in dense clusters throughout development. This clustering makes them highly visible and produces concentrated patterns. are unusual among saturniids in being strictly , with mating activity concentrated in midday hours. When larval food is depleted, may descend trees and wander in search of new plants, making them vulnerable to ground-dwelling and human foot traffic on trails and sidewalks.

Ecological Role

Larvars function as primary consumers in oak woodland , converting leaf into biomass available to and . Periodic can temporarily reduce foliage, though late-season timing limits impact on tree health. The serves as for parasitoid and that help regulate . production contributes to beneath host trees.

Human Relevance

Considered a minor defoliator of landscape and street oaks. can cause aesthetic damage and accumulate on sidewalks, patios, and driveways in urban settings. Rarely requires intervention; typically collapse . Where management is deemed necessary, mechanical removal of larval clusters or targeted are effective. The presents opportunities for public engagement with , as gregarious and wandering often attract attention and can serve as educational subjects.

Similar Taxa

Anisota senatoriaExtremely similar in larval appearance and biology; historically confused with A. peigleri before 1975 description. Distinguished by broader geographic range, different period, and subtle morphological differences. Adults of A. senatoria are more /.
Anisota stigmaRelated oak-feeding with similar larval and gregarious feeding habits. Geographic range and differ.
Anisota virginiensisPink-striped with comparable biology; distinguished by larval coloration (pink stripes rather than ) and different geographic distribution.

More Details

Taxonomic history

This was described as new by Jules C. E. Riotte in 1975, separating it from the long-recognized Anisota senatoria based on morphological and biological differences. The description resolved decades of confusion regarding distinct southeastern .

Diurnal activity

Day-flying in is notable within , a whose members are predominantly . This trait likely represents an to specific environmental conditions in its southeastern range.