Late-season-feeder
Guides
Anisota senatoria
orangestriped oakworm, orange-tipped oakworm
Anisota senatoria is a Nearctic silk moth in the family Saturniidae, commonly known as the orangestriped oakworm. It is one of the more common Saturniids in eastern North America, occasionally reaching pest status in the northern parts of its range. The species is notable for being a late-season feeder on oak foliage, which limits its long-term impact on host tree health. Adults are sexually dimorphic: females are larger, yellow-orange with silver-white spots and faint black lines across the wings, while males are smaller and reddish-brown. The species is very similar to A. finlaysoni in southern Ontario and A. peigleri in the southern United States.
Datana integerrima
Walnut Caterpillar Moth
Datana integerrima, commonly known as the walnut caterpillar moth, is a North American species in the family Notodontidae. The adult moths have a wingspan of 35–50 mm and are active from May to August. The larvae are notable defoliators of walnut, hickory, and other hardwood trees, feeding gregariously in large groups. While capable of causing significant defoliation, single-season outbreaks rarely cause lasting damage to healthy trees.
Datana modesta
Datana modesta is a species of prominent moth in the family Notodontidae, first described by William Beutenmüller in 1890. It is native to North America and belongs to a genus whose larvae are known as generalist feeders on woody plants. The species is part of a group of late-season defoliators that typically cause minor, aesthetic damage rather than significant tree health impacts.
Datana perfusa
Large Datana
Datana perfusa is a species of prominent moth in the family Notodontidae, commonly known as the Large Datana. Described by Harrison Gray Dyar in 1923, this moth is part of a genus whose larvae are well-known defoliators of hardwood trees. The genus Datana includes several species whose caterpillars feed gregariously and are frequently documented as late-season defoliators of oaks and other hardwoods. While specific details for D. perfusa are limited, the genus is characterized by distinctive caterpillars with warning coloration and defensive behaviors.
Halysidota tessellaris
Banded Tussock Moth, Pale Tiger Moth, Tessellated Halisidota
A tiger moth species in the family Erebidae, described by James Edward Smith in 1797. Adults acquire defensive alkaloids from host plants. Caterpillars are conspicuous, with distinctive tufted setae and extra-long hair-pencils at both ends. The species is univoltine in northern parts of its range and multivoltine in the south.