SPRING BEAUTY in TN

This is a Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa rubicunda), a common silkmoth species found in Tennessee.

Let’s dive into the details of the Rosy Maple Moth and its presence in Tennessee.

Identification and Characteristics

The Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa rubicunda) is a member of the Saturniidae family, which includes other silkmoths like the Luna moth. It’s easily recognizable by its vibrant and distinctive coloration:

• Wings: The wings display a striking combination of pink and yellow, often with a gradient or patchy pattern, as seen in your image. The forewings are typically more yellow with pink bands, while the hindwings are predominantly pink with some yellow accents.

• Body: The body is covered in fuzzy yellow and pink scales, with feathery antennae that are more pronounced in males.

• Size: This species is relatively small for a silkmoth, with a wingspan of about 1.5 to 2 inches (3.8 to 5 cm).

The Rosy Maple Moth’s bright colors make it one of the most visually stunning moths in North America, often described as looking like a piece of candy or a tiny sunset.

Habitat and Distribution in Tennessee

The Rosy Maple Moth is common in Tennessee, which aligns with its broader range across eastern North America, from southern Canada down to Florida and as far west as Texas. In Tennessee:

• Habitat: They are frequently found in deciduous forests, woodlands, and suburban areas where their host plants, particularly maple trees (hence the name), are abundant. Tennessee’s mixed forests, with species like red maple (Acer rubrum) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum), provide an ideal habitat.

• Seasonality: Adults are typically active from late spring to early summer (May to July), though in warmer parts of their range, they may have a second brood in late summer. Since it’s April 25, 2025, you might be seeing an early emergence, possibly influenced by warmer weather trends.

Life Cycle and Behavior

• Larvae: The caterpillars, known as Green-striped Mapleworms, are green with faint white stripes and feed primarily on maple leaves, though they can also use oak leaves. They can sometimes be considered minor pests in large numbers, as they may defoliate small sections of trees, but they’re not a significant threat in Tennessee.

• Adults: Like many silkmoths, adult Rosy Maple Moths do not feed—they lack functional mouthparts and focus solely on reproduction during their short lifespan of about a week or two.

• Behavior: They are primarily nocturnal, often attracted to lights at night, which might be how you encountered this one.


Presence in Tennessee

Tennessee’s diverse ecosystems support a wide variety of moths, and the Rosy Maple Moth is a well-documented species in the state. According to resources like the Tennessee State Parks and the University of Tennessee’s entomology records, Dryocampa rubicunda is a regular sight in areas with maple trees, which are plentiful across the state, from the Appalachian Mountains in the east to the Mississippi River in the west. They’re not considered invasive or problematic, and their populations are stable.

Fun Fact

The Rosy Maple Moth’s vivid colors serve as a form of aposematic signaling, warning potential predators of their unpalatability, possibly due to chemicals they sequester from host plants as larvae. Despite their delicate appearance, they’re surprisingly resilient in their natural habitats!