Not all rosy maple moths are as brightly colored as the one Lavoie spotted, but they still stand out from other species. The stripes on their wings can be yellow, cream, or white with pink on the edges. One variety called Alba, which lives in Missouri, can even be all white with just a few pink markings. Rosy maple moths have been spotted as far north as Canada and as far south as Florida. Although the sightings of this colorful insect are mostly clustered in eastern states, they’ve also been spotted in parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Minnesota, and Michigan. If you live in one of their native states, you don’t have to wait until it gets dark to catch a glimpse of them. The adult moths emerge in the late afternoon and mate in the evening. Then, the females lay eggs around dusk the next day. If you do spot them in your yard, don’t worry about them damaging your garden. The adult moths don’t feed, and, as their name suggests, they mainly lay eggs in maple trees and sometimes oak trees. When the caterpillars hatch, they’ll munch on the tree’s leaves, but won’t do any further damage. At most, their nibbling might mean some of your trees have fewer leaves that should grow back. Keep an eye out for these beautiful moths this summer. They’re usually active and laying eggs between March and October in southern states including Florida and between April and September further north, with a peak in July. Enjoy their fuzzy cuteness if one stops by your yard; their bright colors can rival even some of the most beautiful butterflies.
