moth are an essential pollinator and an indicator of ecosystem wellness , with over 12,000 species launch in North America . Many types of moth are found in the wide-ranging landscapes of New York , range from the tremendous Polyphemus silkmoth to the iridescent Luna moth . On a summertime night dangerous undertaking led by the top 27 alone metal money , discover the trick of these nocturnal curiosity .
Different types of Moths of New York
Pale Beauty Moth
Pale Beauty moth ( Campaea perlata ) have 1.1 - 2 in wingspread . Their pale green to grayish white wings feature feeble , dark grey line of reasoning emphasize with blanched . dynamic in New York from late spring to early fall , they ’re drawn to outdoor sparkle , favoring deciduous woodlands . They undergo one multiplication in the north and two in the Confederacy , overwintering as caterpillars on emcee trees , constitute reddish - browned to bleak pupae on unfinished wintertime tree diagram .
Rosy Maple Moth
The Rosy Maple Moth ( Dryocampa rubicunda ) boasts 1.25 - 2 in wingspread , pinkish forewings with a yellow band , and yellow hindwings . adore for their magical spell , they inhabit deciduous forest , suburbs , and urban area in New York . Found from April to September , they blend with maple seed cases . cat feed on ruddy , silver , and sugar maple , pupate underground for about a month before spring growth .
Forest Tent Caterpillar Moth
The Forest Tent Caterpillar Moth ( Malacosoma disstria ) features 1 - 1.75 in wingspan . Their wings display yellow , tan , or buff - brown hues with parallel dark lines , sometimes forming a single band . Despite sporadic sightings , their population surge every 6 - 16 geezerhood , remaining eminent for 4 - 6 age . Active in July , adults live for ten days , congregating near light during outbreaks . Unlike others , they create silk mat on tree diagram trunk or branches , not true tents .
Spotted Tussock Moth
The Spotted Tussock Moth ( Lophocampa maculata ) has 1.38 - 1.69 in wingspread . Their yellow or tan forewings bear dark-brown stripes , while hindwings are cream . With a furred cream or tan torso , they exhibit polymorphic colour variation . In New York ’s deciduous timberland , their caterpillars eat for two calendar month , pupate inbrown silk cocoon attached to leavesfor winter egress .
Large Yellow Underwing
The great Yellow Underwing ( Noctua pronuba ) boast 1.57 - 2.36 in wingspans with brownish forewings and yellow - orange tree hindwings . Adaptable to various habitats , they jump predators with their sudden flash of colouring during put-on . Thriving in divers surface area like urban spaces , fields , and parks , they ’re pull to out-of-door lights . Despite their extended lifespan of 55 - 75 days , they have only one annual contemporaries .
Carolina Sphinx
The Carolina Sphinx ( Manduca sexta ) exhibits 3.75 - 4.75 in wingspans , known for hovering near nectar - rich tubelike flowers . While excellent pollinators , their caterpillar , eff as Tobacco Hornworms , depredation crops like Lycopersicon esculentum and peppers . In warmer regions , they produce multiple broods yr - round , while in cool areas , adults emerge between May and October with two brood . They dwell up to 1,000 eggs and overwinter in their pupal stage .
White-lined Sphinx
The White - lined Sphinx ( Hyles lineata ) flaunts 2 - 3 in wingspans and six distinctive lily-white stripe on a stout , chocolate-brown , furry body . Often mistaken for hummingbirds , they hover over prime , sipping ambrosia with their long proboscis . They favor various bloom like Cardinal Vine , Jimsonweed , and Petunia . female person put numerous eggs in give , leading to occasional caterpillar outbreaks , with aggregative migrations occurring before pupation .
Salt Marsh Moth
The Salt Marsh Moth ( Estigmene acrea ) sport 1.75 - 2.69 in wingspans with livid fore wing and orangish hindwings in males , white in female . Despite their attractive appearing , their caterpillars are notorious farming pests , snipe crop like clavus , tomatoes , and cotton . Active from May to August , they have one to four broods annually , use silk parachute to escape scourge .
Imperial Moth
The Imperial Moth ( Eacles imperialis ) is one of New York ’s expectant moth , brag 3.13 - 6.88 in wingspans with outstanding and variable colouring material pattern . recover in various habitat , their caterpillar sport orange chromaticity , later transitioning to brown , burgundy , or fleeceable with defensive spines . With only one yearly brood , they face declining populations due to factors like loose pollution , pesticides , and parasitic Tachinid Flies .
Io Moth
Io Moths ( Automeris io ) in New York flaunt 2.5 - 3.5 in wingspans with striking yellow-bellied or ruddy - brown / purple bodies , large feathery aerial , and fascinate hindwing eyespots . Their defense mechanism take startling predators with these eyespots . fighting from May to June in the north and February to September in the south , they ’re nocturnal and avoid eating during adulthood . Beware of their virulent spinal column at all stage .
Yellow-collared Scape Moth
The Yellow - nab Scape Moth ( Cisseps fulvicollis ) frequents New York ’s meadow , car park , and forests , acting as celebrated pollinator . Resembling white Anglo-Saxon Protestant , they repel threat during flower visit . With a 1 - 1.5 in ( 2.5 - 3.8 centimetre ) wingspan , they operate throughout April to October , get up to three generations annually . Overwintering as caterpillars , they construct cocoons with their own trunk hair’s-breadth .
North American Luna Moth
The North American Luna Moth ( Actias luna ) stands out in New York with 4.5 - 7 in lime - green wings , maroon border , and captivating eyespot . male boast feathery transmitting aerial , while females present big stomach for bollock storage . Their ocellus startle marauder , while their long tails confuse bats ’ echolocation . Active during rearing season , they let loose pheromone detectable by Male from mil away , while in warm southern climates , they ’re visible year - round .
Hummingbird Clearwing
resemble lilliputian hummingbirds , Hummingbird Clearwings ( Hemaris thysbe ) in New York hover and tip on pink orpurple flowers . alive during the solar day , they emit a soft buzz with their rapid , transparent wing movement . With one or two annual broods , female person lay green testis that hatch in a week . After about four workweek of alimentation , caterpillars overwinter in leaf bedding cocoon , emerging in spring . They boast a 1.6 - 2.2 in ( 4 - 5.6 cm ) wingspan .
Fall Webworm Moth
The Fall Webworm Moth ( Hyphantria cunea ) features 1.4 - 1.7 in wingspans with blanched forewing and a white hairy body , now and again displaying orange marking . Caterpillar are sleep with to construct protective tent while feeding on various hardwood tree diagram . fighting from April to September in New York , they produce one or multiple broods each year , with female person depositing large iridescent green egg masses . The final brood overwinters as brown cocoons in leaf litter before spring emergence .
Ailanthus Webworm Moth
Ailanthus Webworm Moths ( Atteva aurea ) in New York video display varied characteristics found on fix , with southern populations boast minor yellow spot . Rapid lifespan cycle see them transform from eggs to adults in just four calendar week . They cross-pollinate by feeding on flower nectar , also ingesting chemical from Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree - of - nirvana , discourage piranha with their bright coloration . The final brood overwinters as eggs before initiating give breeding . They gasconade a 0.5 - 1.18 in ( 1.3 - 3 cm ) wingspread .
American Dagger Moth
The American Dagger ( Acronicta americana ) is New York ’s large obelisk moth , featuring intricateblack and whitepatterns with fine greyish - clean hair . Preferring deciduous tree diagram , they populate forests , swamp , parks , and backyards . While northern populations produce one yearly brood , southerly region may ease up two or three . see for fighting adults between April and September , and caterpillars from July to October . Adults ’ wingspans are 2 - 2.6 in ( 5 - 6.6 atomic number 96 ) .
Green Cloverworm Moth
The Green Cloverworm Moth ( Hypena scabra ) is a modest , small moth commonly found near outside lights in gardens , theater , and timberland edges . Their larval bod can induce considerable damage to vegetables . With multiple yearly broods , they ’re seeable year - rung in warmer regions , primarily between March and November in northern clime , occasionally come forth on fond days . The wingspread of adults are 0.98–1.38 inch ( 2.5–3.5 cm ) .
Banded Tussock Moth
Banded Tussock Moths ( Halysidota tessellaris ) thrive in New York ’s deciduous forests , now and then spotted near outdoor lights . dynamic from May to August , they intimately resemble Sycamore Tussock Moths , distinguishable only through dissection or deoxyribonucleic acid analysis . While adult moths feed on nectar , their caterpillars consume various works , storing chemical for defense against predator . The wingspan of adults is 1.57 - 1.77 column inch ( 3.8 - 4.3 cm ) .
Polyphemus Moth
The Polyphemus Moth ( Antheraea polyphemus ) is signalize by its large , intimidate eyespot resembling a great horned owl ’s face . Found in various New York habitats , they have a brusque lifespan of about four days as adults . male locate females through pheromone , utilizing their feathery antennae , with neither gender requiring nourishment due to their exclusive focusing on mating . Adults ’ wingspan are 4 - 6 in ( 10 - 15 centimetre ) .
Milkweed Tussock Moth
The Milkweed Tussock Moth ( Euchaetes egle ) may seem dull as grownup , but their vibrantcaterpillars mutation black , bloodless , orange , and chicken tufts . They deter predators by storing flora chemical , let out warning click to discourage bat . coexist with Monarch butterflies , they serve as aboriginal pollinators that do n’t harm milkweed plants . wingspan range from 1.25 to 1.7 inches ( 3 - 4.3 cm ) .
Virginian Tiger Moth
Virginian Tiger Moths ( Spilosoma virginica ) flourish in various New York habitats , including forests , rain forest , farms , grasslands , and urban areas . Their unequaled communication relies on females emitting pheromone , which male detect with their distinctive , feathery transmitting aerial . With multiple annual brood , the last brood overwinters as caterpillar . Wingspans range from 1.25 to 2 inches ( 3 - 5 centimeter ) .
Giant Leopard Moth
Giant Leopard Moths ( Hypercompe scribonia ) earn their name from striking , Panthera pardus - alike practice . With large ears and tymbal organs , they ’re equipped to detect and deter predatory animal , including bats . Feigning end and secreting bitter fluid further protect these moths . adult ’ wingspans range from 2.24 to 3.58 in ( 5.7 - 8.9 curium ) .
Hickory Tussock Moth
Hickory Tussock Moths ( Lophocampa caryae ) do n’t feed as adult . They put testis in batches on leave-taking , leading to grouping of cat and localized defoliation . caterpillar irritate skin , so it ’s best to leave their cocoons undisturbed . Adults have a wingspan of 1.46 - 2.17 in ( 3.7 - 5.5 cm ) .
Isabella Tiger Moth
Isabella Tiger Moths ( Pyrrharctia Isabella ) adapt to diverse New York habitats , thriving even in the Arctic . Their unique cryoprotectant production allows survival in freeze temperature . With a short life , they resonate a tymbal reed organ , emitting gamey - frequency clicks to dissuade predator . placeable as cat ( Wooly Bears ) , they ’ve inspired a folk impression about winter prediction based on their band patterns . The wingspan of an adult is 1.75–2.5 inches ( 4 - 6 cm ) .
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