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Adult — Owen County (Rick Malad)
Adult — Laporte County (Melissa Cowan)
Side view of an adult — Laporte County (Melissa Cowan)
An Indiana Native

Prionoxystus robiniae — Carpenterworm Moth

(Peck, 1818)

robiniae Species Prionoxystus Genus Cossinae Subfamily Family Cossidae Cossoidea Superfamily Order Lepidoptera Insecta Class Hexapoda Subphylum Phylum Arthropoda Kingdom Animalia
robiniae Species Prionoxystus Genus Cossinae Subfamily Family Cossidae Cossoidea Superfamily Order Lepidoptera Insecta Class Hexapoda Subphylum Phylum Arthropoda Kingdom Animalia

Hodges# 2693

Etymology

Prionoxystus: Combines the Greek words prion meaning “saw,” and xystus meaning “polished,” or “scraped”.

Robiniae: Pertaining to plants of the genus Robinia, which is a host genus for this species.

Pronunciation

Pry-ahn-oh-ZY-stus Row-BIN-ee-uh

Adult — Owen County (Rick Malad)
Adult — Laporte County (Melissa Cowan)
Side view of an adult — Laporte County (Melissa Cowan)

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the confirmed sightings of the Carpenterworm Moth in Indiana. All sightings were confirmed through photographic documentation by individuals who contributed to the Great American IN Nature Lepidoptera Project (GAIN LP).

species present icon GAIN LP
documented
in county.

GAIN LP Sightings

Date County Observer Notes Image1 Image2
2024-06-04 Floyd Brengman, Jaice
2024-05-17 Newton Jaskula, Jeanette
2023-07-15 Newton Jaskula, Jeanette
2023-07-08 Monroe Engbrecht, Nate
2023-07-07 Monroe Engbrecht, Nate
2023-06-21 Huntington Eppard, Tara
2023-06-21 Huntington Eppard, Tara
2023-06-08 Hamilton Kant, Nancy
2023-06-06 Jefferson Wilson, Brian
2023-06-06 Jefferson Wilson, Brian
1   2   3   4   5       Next
Observation Details Images
Date: 2024-06-04
County: Floyd
Observer: Brengman, Jaice
Notes:
Date: 2024-05-17
County: Newton
Observer: Jaskula, Jeanette
Notes:
Date: 2023-07-15
County: Newton
Observer: Jaskula, Jeanette
Notes:
Date: 2023-07-08
County: Monroe
Observer: Engbrecht, Nate
Notes:
Date: 2023-07-07
County: Monroe
Observer: Engbrecht, Nate
Notes:
Date: 2023-06-21
County: Huntington
Observer: Eppard, Tara
Notes:
Date: 2023-06-21
County: Huntington
Observer: Eppard, Tara
Notes:
Date: 2023-06-08
County: Hamilton
Observer: Kant, Nancy
Notes:
Date: 2023-06-06
County: Jefferson
Observer: Wilson, Brian
Notes:
Date: 2023-06-06
County: Jefferson
Observer: Wilson, Brian
Notes:
1   2   3   4   5       Next

Prionoxystus robiniae Sightings by Month

Notes

Carpenterworm moths are among the largest of the "micro-moths." The larvae, which take approximately two years to mature, bore tunnels in the sapwood and heartwood of trees, which can impact the commercial quality of lumber.

Conservation Status

Floral Associates

Carpenterworm Moth caterpillars bore into the wood of their host species, creating tunnels. They will spend about two years in the sap and heartwood of the tree before emerging. Carpenterworm Moth caterpillars feed on a large and more diverse range than do the closely related Little Carpenterworm larvae. Adults do not feed.


Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family Taxonomic Name Common Name
Order: Fabales
FabaceaeRobinia spp.locusts
Order: Fagales
FagaceaeCastanea dentataAmerican chestnut
Quercus spp.oaks
Order: Hamamelidales
PlatanaceaePlatanus occidentalisAmerican sycamore
Order: Lamiales
OleaceaeFraxinus spp.ashes
Order: Rosales
MoraceaeFicus caricacommon fig
RosaceaePrunus spp.cherries
UlmaceaeCeltis spp.hackberries
Ulmus spp.elms
Order: Salicales
SalicaceaePopulus spp.poplars
Salix spp.willows
Order: Sapindales
AceraceaeAcer spp.maples