In the next instars, the black head becomes smaller relative to the diameter of the body and the longitudinal stripes darken and become reddish. The larvae undergo their first molt around 6–11 days after hatching, their second molt approximately 12 days after hatching, and their third molt around 19 days post hatching. They have two large dark-green to black tubercles on the second thoracic segment and three rows of smaller spines, or setae, on each side of their body. In early instars, the larvae have relatively large black heads and pale yellow-green bodies with faint green stripes. Rosy maple moth larvae are known as greenstriped mapleworms, and they undergo five instars prior to adulthood, during which their coloration and eating behavior changes. After hatching, a transparent egg shell is left behind. Eggs hatch after about ten days to two weeks. The eggs are ovular and about 1.4 mm in diameter, with a thin smooth yellow shell. For moths with longer life spans, much of this time is spent as a pupa over the winter months.Įggs are laid 24 hours after fertilization. Between hatching and adulthood, the species undergoes five instars. Individual rosy maple moths typically live for about two to nine months. Adult rosy maple moths are mostly solitary besides during mating. In Florida, between March and October three broods are laid.Ĭaterpillars live and feed in groups until the fourth instar when they become solitary. Further south, two broods are laid between April and September. In northern regions, one brood is laid between May and August. Egg laying typically occurs in the warmer months, with a peak in July, although precise timing depends on the region. Females typically only reproduce once, but in southern regions they can lay eggs up to three times. Females typically lay around 150 to 200 eggs in groups of 10 to 40 on the underside of leaves of maple trees and occasionally oak trees. Besides this, rosy maple moths exhibit little parental care, as the female leaves after depositing her eggs. During those 24 hours, the eggs are protected inside the body of the female. Adult rosy maple moths do not feed.įemale rosy maple moths lay their eggs one day after fertilization. This damage is mostly harmless and the leaves will grow back. Thus, large populations of greenstriped mapleworms are capable of defoliating trees. The larvae eat the entire leaf blade and are capable of consuming a few leaves each. In early instars, the larvae feed together in groups, but beginning in the third or fourth instar the caterpillars begin to feed individually. Since the larvae remain on the same tree upon which they hatched, most larvae feed on the underside of maple leaves or oak leaves. The rosy maple moths preferentially lay their eggs on maple trees, and sometimes nearby oak trees. The adults do not eat, so they can have a sizeable home range. The larvae primarily eat the underside of leaves, therefore preferentially staying in that location of their home tree. Larvae hatch and live on the same tree through their development, then pupate in the soil beneath the same tree. They can also be found on oak trees, particularly turkey oaks ( Quercus laevis), especially when they are found dispersed among maple trees. Their common name derives from the fact that they can primarily be found on maple trees, including red maples ( Acer rubrum), sugar maples ( Acer saccharum), silver maples ( Acer saccharinum), and box elder maples ( Acer negundo). The rosy maple moth can be found in temperate deciduous forests and nearby suburban areas and urban landscapes. Their range extends south along the Atlantic coast of North America to Dade County, Florida, and extends west from eastern Texas through Minnesota. Their northernmost range includes the southern regions of Canada, including Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. The rosy maple moth lives across the eastern United States and adjacent regions of Canada. They have reddish-to-pink legs and antennae, yellow bodies and hindwings, and pink forewings with a triangular yellow band across the middle. The species can be identified by their unique, but varying, pink and yellow coloration. The rosy maple moth is the smallest of the silk moths males have a wingspan of 3.2 to 4.4 centimetres (1.25-1.75 in) females of 3.8 to 5 centimetres (1.5–2 in).
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |