Hodges#7723

Anisota virginiensis

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Bombycoidea
Family: Saturniidae
Subfamily: Ceratocampinae
Genus: Anisota
Species: virginiensis

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Anisota virginiensis: //ˌænɪˈsoʊtə vɜrˌdʒɪˈniːənsɪs//

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

Images

Anisota virginiensis top by Samantha Ranlet. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Sepp-Surinaamsche vlinders - pl 076 plate descr. as Phalaena pellucida by Jan Sepp (1778 - 1853). Used under a Public domain license.

Sepp-Surinaamsche vlinders - pl 076 text1 descr. as Phalaena pellucida by Jan Sepp (1778 - 1853). Used under a Public domain license.

Sepp-Surinaamsche vlinders - pl 076 text2 descr. as Phalaena pellucida by Jan Sepp (1778 - 1853). Used under a Public domain license.

Southern Pink-striped Oakworm - Anisota virginiensis pellucida, Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest, Felda, Florida by judygva (back in town and trying to catch up). Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Anisota virginiensis aka Southern Pink-striped Oakworm Moth by RobertJBanach. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Summary

Anisota virginiensis, commonly known as the pink-striped oakworm moth, is a silk moth species in the family Saturniidae native to Eastern North America. It is notable for its distinctive sexual dimorphism in wing coloration and its life cycle, particularly the caterpillar stage, which is a defoliator of several tree species.

Physical Characteristics

Wingspan 33-45 mm; females larger than males, with purplish red and ochre-yellow wings, thin scales, and almost transparent appearance; males have brown wings with a prominent translucent area and no black spotting; caterpillars are gray or greenish with dull brownish yellow or rosy stripes, featuring scales on each segment and two long spines on the mesothorax.

Identification Tips

The adult male can be identified by its pronounced hyaline area on the forewing and lack of black spots. Females have purplish margins and more translucent wings.

Habitat

Deciduous woodlands and suburbs across Canada from Nova Scotia to southeastern Manitoba and throughout the United States.

Distribution

Eastern North America; three subspecies are recognized: A. virginiensis virginiensis (Northern Pink-striped Oakworm), A. virginiensis pellucida (Southern Pink-striped Oakworm), and A. virginiensis discolor (Texas Pink-striped Oakworm).

Diet

Caterpillars feed on the foliage of oak trees, maples, birches, and hazels.

Life Cycle

Mating occurs in the morning shortly after pheromones are released, and is a rapid process. The female lays eggs under oak leaves. Caterpillars pupate in the soil and overwinter as pupae.

Reproduction

Mating has been observed to occur during pheromone attraction, with females laying eggs shortly thereafter on host plants.

Conservation Status

Considered a pest of forests due to defoliation; no conservation regimes required.

Ecosystem Role

Pest species that can cause defoliation of trees.

Misconceptions

Not all caterpillars are harmful; they may be significant parts of the food chain.