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Project Noah Nature School
Prionoxystus robiniae
Females are larger and more sharply colored than the males. Male moths have yellow/orange on the hindwing. Both male and female forewings mottled gray and blackish The larvae of these large moths bore in the wood of living deciduous trees. The species name is from the Black Locust tree, Robinia pseudoacacia. They are considered pests in some areas because the larva damage valuable hardwood.
Forested campground.
Attracted to our lantern light at night while camping at Cedar Point County Park, NY. These large moths were very clumsy once they flew in towards the light. They seemed to have trouble taking flight again after landing. When I first saw these moths a couple of years ago I thought they were a species of Sphinx moth (which is apparently a common mistake).
Spotted on Jun 9, 2012
Submitted on Jun 11, 2012
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