Anisota virginiensis

Adult male — Jefferson County (Brenda Holbrook)

Adult male side view — Jefferson County (Brenda Holbrook)

Adult female — Orange County (John Lindsey)

Adult female side view — Brown County (Kashena Hottinger)

Male and female mating — Brown County (Susan Conaway)

Caterpillar — Brown County (Amber Kirkland)

An Indiana Native

Anisota virginiensis — Pink-striped Oakworm Moth

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

Hodges# 7723

Etymology

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

Virginiensis: Of or from Virginia. Likely the location of the first described specimen.

Pronunciation

an-eye-soh-tuh vur-gin-ee-en-sis

Adult Size and Description

Wingspan: 40–60 mm (1.6–2.4 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 virginiensis as of 30 January 2021.

Documented record(s)

Conservation Status — NatureServe Rankings

secure 5: Secure NR: Not ranked

Floral Associates

Anisota virginiensis caterpillars primarily specialize on the foliage of oak (Quercus spp.) trees. Technically polyphagous, researchers have also documented them feeding on several additional plant families, but oaks are their primary host. 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: Cornales
Cornaceae	Cornus spp.	dogwoods
Order: Fagales
Betulaceae	Betula spp.	birches
	Carpinus caroliniana	musclewood, aka blue beech
	Corylus americana	American hazelnut
Fagaceae	Castanea dentata	American chestnut
	Fagus grandifolia	American beech
	Quercus spp.	oaks
Order: Rosales
Rosaceae	Amelanchier spp.	serviceberries
	Prunus spp.	cherries
Ulmaceae	Celtis spp.	hackberries
Order: Salicales
Salicaceae	Salix spp.	willows
Order: Sapindales
Aceraceae	Acer spp.	maples

Pink-striped Oakworm Moth (Anisota virginiensis) in Indiana

The map, graph(s), and data below represent the Indiana sightings of Anisota virginiensis 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: 9 of 92

Top counties/#of records:
Brown: 10
Jefferson: 8
Monroe: 5
Orange: 3
Scott: 1
Owen: 1
Ripley: 1

species present icon GAIN LP documented in county

Sightings by Month

Earliest live adult: Brenda Holbrook, Jefferson County on 22 May 2020
Latest live adult observation: Matt Bowman, Greene County on 01 August 2018

Total Sightings by Year

Total Number of observations (all years combined): 18
Number of field observers: 16

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).