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Ailanthus webworm moth

Atteva aurea

Description:

This ermine moth has as host larval plants the Paradise Tree and Tree-of-Heaven.They mate at dawn and lay eggs at dusk.Larvae produce nests on the host plant by pulling leaflets around a network of loose webbing. The larvae eat leaves, flowers, seeds, and even bark. The adult moth visits flowers, is diurnal, and is a pollinator.

Habitat:

Thought to be native to South Florida and the American tropics (south to Costa Rica). It,does not survive cold winters, but migrates north each year and is seen in summer throughout the continental US, and occasionally eastern Canada.

Notes:

Thank you, Livan and Nuwan!

3 Comments

Maria dB
Maria dB 12 years ago

I agree; very colorful!

rubens.luciano
rubens.luciano 12 years ago

Nice moth!

Maria dB
Spotted by
Maria dB

North Carolina, USA

Spotted on Oct 2, 2009
Submitted on Feb 12, 2012

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