The Rosy Maple moth is either gaudy or stunning depending on your perspective. But with colors described as raspberry and lemon sherbert or a strange golden haired diva wearing bizarre velvet robes, it is unmistakeable and isn't easily overlooked. Dave Wagner from UCONN and the author of the amazing book "Caterpillars of Eastern North America" notes "After the , this may be the runner-up with regard to garnering public interest in moths." Mark your calendars and come join the Friends at our next Moth Night at Frost Woods on July 22. Who knows, we may just be lucky and treated to a Rosy Maple moth! Details are on the friends website at www.friendsebec.com. Membership is FREE simply by signing up.
As the name suggests the caterpillars of this moth feed on maples, but also box-elder and oaks. The Rosy Maple moth is relatively common in more wooded areas in East Brunswick and I have had it come in to a Mercury Vapor Light in my backyard near the High School. I often search the walls around lights in the morning at places like WaWa and office buildings that are near woods and this awesome moth is found from time to time. Every single time I see one, I can't help but gawk. But I can't decide if it's a beautiful stunning moth or a train wreck of strange colors and textures. Why evolution took it down this path is beyond me, but it is one of my favorites and always a pleasure to find.
