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ECOLOGY ▪ EDUCATION ▪ ADVOCACY

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)
American Flag Flag of Indiana An Indiana Native

Anisota virginiensis — Pink-striped 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
virginiensis Species Anisota Genus Ceratocampinae Subfamily Family Saturniidae Bombycoidea Superfamily Order Lepidoptera Insecta Class Hexapoda Subphylum Phylum Arthropoda Kingdom Animalia

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 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)

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:
  • Defense Mechanisms:

Range

This map illustrates documented North American records of Anisota virginiensis 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 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.


Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family Taxonomic Name Common Name
Order: Cornales
CornaceaeCornus spp.dogwoods
Order: Fagales
BetulaceaeBetula spp.birches
Carpinus carolinianamusclewood, aka blue beech
Corylus americanaAmerican hazelnut
FagaceaeCastanea dentataAmerican chestnut
Fagus grandifoliaAmerican beech
Quercus spp.oaks
Order: Rosales
RosaceaeAmelanchier spp.serviceberries
Prunus spp.cherries
UlmaceaeCeltis spp.hackberries
Order: Salicales
SalicaceaeSalix spp.willows
Order: Sapindales
AceraceaeAcer 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 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: 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

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).