Anisota senatoria

Adult female — Starke County (Marty Lucas)

An Indiana Native

Anisota senatoria — Orange-tipped Oakworm Moth

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

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 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:

Females larger than males, lighter, and without a translucent spot on the forewing
Antennae quadripectinate on males and filiform on females

Defense Mechanisms:

Females: Crypsis — Tree coloration
Males: Batesian mimicry — Scientists believe that the diurnal males mimic bees or wasps for protection.

Range

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

Documented record(s)

Conservation Status — NatureServe Rankings

secure 5: Secure 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.

Family	Taxonomic Name	Common Name
Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Order: Fagales
Betulaceae	Betula spp.	birches
	Corylus americana	American hazelnut
Fagaceae	Castanea dentata	American chestnut
	Fagus grandifolia	American beech
	Quercus spp.	oaks
Juglandaceae	Carya spp.	hickories
Order: Malvales
Malvaceae	Abelmoschus spp.	okra
Order: Rosales
Rosaceae	Rubus spp.	blackberries, dewberries, and raspberries
Order: Sapindales
Aceraceae	Acer 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 December 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

Earliest live adult: Pam Morton, Steuben County on 24 June 2020
Latest live adult observation: Martin Lucas, Starke County on 11 July 2002

Total Sightings by Year

Total Number of observations (all years combined): 3
Number of field observers: 3

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).