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ECOLOGY ▪ EDUCATION ▪ ADVOCACY

Adult female — Starke County (Marty Lucas)
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Anisota senatoria — Orange-tipped Oakworm Moth

(J.E. Smith [&Abbot], 1797)

senatoria Species Anisota Genus Ceratocampinae Subfamily Family Saturniidae Bombycoidea Superfamily Order Lepidoptera Insecta Class Hexapoda Subphylum Phylum Arthropoda Kingdom Animalia
senatoria Species Anisota Genus Ceratocampinae Subfamily Family Saturniidae Bombycoidea Superfamily Order Lepidoptera Insecta Class Hexapoda Subphylum Phylum Arthropoda Kingdom Animalia

Hodges# 7719

Etymology

Anisota: The Latin meaning of “anisos” means unequal and the term “ota” was a Greek word for ear.

Senatoria: The feminine for senatorius; a member of the Roman Senate.

Pronunciation

an-eye-soh-tuh sen-uh-toh-ree-uh

Adult female — Starke County (Marty Lucas)

Adult Size and Description

  • Wingspan: 30–60 mm (1.2–2.4 in).
  • Coloration and Patterning:
    • Females: Yellow-brown to orange-brown opaque wings with pink tint past the postmedial line.
    • Males: Reddish-brown with a scaleless, translucent patch on each forewing
    • Both genders with white discal spot and peppered with numerous small spots
  • Sexual Dimorphism:
  • Defense Mechanisms:

Range

This map illustrates documented North American records of Anisota senatoria as of 30 January 2021.

species present icon Documented record(s)

Conservation Status — NatureServe Rankings

ConservationBaseMap Indiana Status National Status Global Status NR 5 5

secure 5: Secure not ranked NR: Not ranked

Floral Associates

Anisota senatoria caterpillars primarily specialize on the foliage of oak (Quercus spp.) trees. Although uncommonly seen, they sometimes do cause pestiferous outbreaks of oak defoliation. Technically polyphagous, researchers have also documented them feeding on several additional plant families. Adults lack a digestive system, do not eat, and exist solely for reproduction.


Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family Taxonomic Name Common Name
Order: Fagales
BetulaceaeBetula spp.birches
Corylus americanaAmerican hazelnut
FagaceaeCastanea dentataAmerican chestnut
Fagus grandifoliaAmerican beech
Quercus spp.oaks
JuglandaceaeCarya spp.hickories
Order: Malvales
MalvaceaeAbelmoschus spp.okra
Order: Rosales
RosaceaeRubus spp.blackberries, dewberries, and raspberries
Order: Sapindales
AceraceaeAcer spp.maples

Orange-tipped Oakworm Moth (Anisota senatoria) in Indiana

The map, graph(s), and data below represent the Indiana sightings of Anisota senatoria as of 21 November 2024, confirmed through photographic evidence by individuals who contributed to the Great American IN Nature Lepidoptera Project (GAIN LP).

Occurrences by County

Counties recorded: 3 of 92

Top counties/#of records:
Greene: 1
Starke: 1
Steuben: 1

species present icon GAIN LP documented in county

Sightings by Month

Total Sightings by Year

Sightings by Gender

Image Gallery

The images and records below were all submitted by individuals through the Great American Indiana Nature Lepidoptera Project (GAIN LP).