California is home to a diverse raiment of moth species , each uniquely adapted to its specific home ground . From the luxuriant coastal regions to the desiccated desert landscapes , various eccentric of moths can be found fluttering about . One normally spot moth is the “ Polyphemus Moth , ” renowned for its sizable wingspan and distinctive markings . Additionally , the “ Luna Moth , ” adorned with its spectacular emerald green wings , is a captivating spate for many nature enthusiast search the land . The intriguing diverseness ofmoth speciesin California adds an enchanting level to the rich tapestry of its born ecosystem , inviting observers to delve deeper into the wonders of the nocturnal earth .
Different types of Moths in California
White-lined Sphinx
The White - line Sphinx ( Hyles lineata ) has a robust , brown , hirsute body with six characteristic white stripes that traverse two to three meter its wingspread . They hover over flower , their farsighted proboscis sipping nectar , and are frequently put off with hummingbird . Their favorite efflorescence are Petunia , Jimsonweed , and Cardinal Vine . Mass migrations take place prior to pupation , and females lay a large bit of egg in the outflow , which occasionally get caterpillar outbreaks .
Yellow-collared Scape Moth
One of the most prominent pollinators in California ’s parks , meadows , and forest is the Yellow - collared Scape Moth ( Cisseps fulvicollis ) . They guard off intruders while visiting flower , much like wasps . They are dynamic from April to October , generating up to three contemporaries a twelvemonth , and have a wingspread of 1 - 1.5 in ( 2.5 - 3.8 centimeter ) . They build cocoons out of their own body hairs while hibernating as caterpillars .
North American Luna Moth
With its 4.5 - 7 calcium oxide - green wings , maroon borderline , and eye - catching eyespots , theNorth AmericanLuna Moth ( Actias luna ) is a noticeable mickle in California . While female have larger abdomens for storing egg , males have feathery antennae . They confuse bats ’ echolocation with their longsighted tails , and their eyespots startle predators . In warmer southerly climate , they are visible all year around , but when they are alive during upbringing season , they issue pheromone that males can detect from a space .
Pale Beauty Moth
Campaea perlata , or Pale Beauty moths , have wingspread of 1.1 - 2 . Their wings have thin , dark grayish phone line that are accent with white , ranging from pallid green to grayish white . They are drawn to outdoor lights and prefer deciduous woodlands . They are active in California from late springiness to early autumn . Their life hertz consists of one genesis in the N and two in the Confederate States . They overwinter as caterpillars on host trees , develop into reddish - brown to pitch-dark pupa on stripped winter Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
Rosy Maple Moth
With wingspread of 1.25 - 2 and pinkish forewings with a yellow isthmus and yellow hindwings , the Rosy Maple Moth ( Dryocampa rubicunda ) is quite impressive . They live in urban area , suburbs , and deciduous forests in California , and are adored for their charm . They are found in April through September , immingle in with maple seed cases . Before emerging in spring , caterpillars pupate underground for approximately a month , during which they squander pelf , silver , and red-faced maple .
Forest Tent Caterpillar Moth
Wingspans range from 1.75 to 1.75 inch in the Forest Tent Caterpillar Moth ( Malacosoma disstria ) . With parallel dismal phone line that now and then form a single band , their flank are colored yellow , tan , or buff - brown . Their populations do not wane over 4 - 6 class , but they do see a upsurge every 6 - 16 years . adult group together near lighter during outbreaks and are active in July . They have a ten - twenty-four hours life-time . Instead of making existent tent , they , in contrast to others , wander silk mat onto tree diagram luggage compartment or arm .
American Dagger Moth
With its fine greyish - lily-white fuzz and intricateblack and whitepatterns , the American Dagger ( Acronicta americana ) is the largest sticker moth in California . They live in forests , swampland , parks , and backyard , with a preference for deciduous trees . Southern populations may raise two or three offspring every year , whereas populations in the north only produce one . In April through September , search for active adults ; in July through October , attend for caterpillars . The wingspan of adults are 2 - 2.6 in ( 5 - 6.6 curium ) .
Green Cloverworm Moth
In garden , fields , and along the border of timberland , the Green Cloverworm Moth ( Hypena scabra ) is a tiny , inconspicuous moth that is frequently spotted close to outside lights . Vegetables can suffer meaning harm from their larval form . With multiple annual brood , they are visible all twelvemonth around in warmer climate , mostly in northerly climates between March and November , and they once in a while emerge on warm days . Adults typically have wingspans between 0.98 and 1.38 inch ( 2.5 and 3.5 curium ) .
Banded Tussock Moth
Although they are rarely seen close to outdoor lights , ring tuft moth ( Halysidota tessellaris ) are abundant in California ’s deciduous forests . They resemble Sycamore Tussock Moths and are only differentiated by dissection or deoxyribonucleic acid analytic thinking . They are dynamic from May to August . Caterpillars down a variety of plant and store chemical for defense against predators , while adult moths feed in on nectar . grownup can fly at 1.57 - 1.77 column inch ( 3.8 - 4.3 cm ) in distance .
Hickory Tussock Moth
Hickory Tussock Moths ( Lophocampa caryae ) do n’t feed as adults . They produce clusters of cat and place defoliation when they wedge their bollock in heap on leafage . Because caterpillars irritate skin , it ’s best to keep them in their cocoons . The wingspan of an adult is 1.46 - 2.17 inch ( 3.7 - 5.5 cm ) .
Isabella Tiger Moth
The Isabella Tiger Moth , or Pyrrharctia Isabella , can survive in a variety of environments across California , admit the Arctic . They can pull round in subfreezing temperature thanks to their exceptional cryoprotectant production . Their short life span is used to ward off predators by vibrating a tymbal organ and producing mellow - frequency clicks . Easily name as Wooly Bears , or Caterpillar , their set pattern have spark off a folktale regarding the forecasting of winter . An adult ’s wingspan is 1.75–2.5 inches ( 4 - 6 curium ) .
Spotted Tussock Moth
The wingspans of the Spotted Tussock Moth ( Lophocampa maculata ) stove from 1.38 to 1.69 . Their hindwings are cream , and their forewing , which are yellow or tan , have brown stripe . They have a cream or tan furry trunk and exhibit polymorphous colouring variations . Their caterpillars spend two months feeding in the deciduous forests of California before pupate inbrown silk cocoon attached to leavesin grooming for winter growth .
Large Yellow Underwing
With brown fore wing and yellow - Orange River hindwings , the Large Yellow Underwing ( Noctua pronuba ) has wingspans of 1.57–2.36 , measuring approximately . They can adapt to a all-inclusive range of habitat , and during charade , their sudden bursts of colouration frighten vulture . They thrive in a variety of options , including parks , plain , and urban areas . They are attracted to outdoor lights . They only have one propagation per year , but they know for a long 55–75 Day .
Carolina Sphinx
The Carolina Sphinx , or Manduca sexta , has wingspans of 3.75 to 4.75 and is renowned for hovering nigh to cannular flowers that are rich in nectar . Their Tobacco Hornworm caterpillars are excellent pollinators , but they also work mayhem on crop like black pepper and tomatoes . They have several brood all class around in warmer climate , but between May and October in dusty climates , adult emerge with two broods . They overwinter as pupa and lay up to 1,000 testicle .
Salt Marsh Moth
With wingspread of 1.75 to 2.69 in and white forewings and orangish hindwings in males and white in females , the Salt Marsh Moth ( Estigmene acrea ) is a unique worm . Their caterpillar are notorious agricultural pests that feed on crops like corn , love apple , and cotton fiber despite their pretty appearance . They have one to four broods a class and are active from May to August . They use silk chute to get away potential threats .
Imperial Moth
One of the braggart moths in California is the Imperial Moth ( Eacles imperialis ) , which has wingspans of 3.13 - 6.88 and centre - catch , variable - dark-skinned patterns . Their caterpillars are orange in color and eventuallyturn brown , burgundy , or green with protective spines . They can be found in a variety of habitats . They only have one brood per year , and divisor like pesticides , promiscuous befoulment , and parasitic Tachinid tent flap are causing their universe to slump .
Io Moth
The striking yellow or reddish - chocolate-brown / purple bodies , big feathery antennae , and captivating hindwing eyespots of the 2.5–3.5 in wingspans that characterise Io Moths ( Automeris io ) found in California . They use these eyespots as a defense chemical mechanism to startle predators . They are nocturnal creatures that cease to eat on as adults , being participating from May to June in the north and from February to September in the S . Always be on the lookout for their toxicant spines .
Hummingbird Clearwing
Hemaris thysbe , also known as Hummingbird Clearwings , are petite hummingbird - like raspberry that hover over pink orpurple flowersto provender . During the daytime , they are active and produce a gentle buzzing sound as their wings move quickly and clearly . female lay green eggs that hatch after a week for one or two annual brood . Caterpillar feed for approximately four weeks before hibernate in leaf litter cocoons and emerging in the leaping . Their wingspan appraise 1.6 - 2.2 in ( 4 - 5.6 centimeter ) .
Fall Webworm Moth
Hyphantria cunea , also screw as the Fall Webworm Moth , has 1.4–1.7 wingspans , white forewing , and a hairy , white dead body with sporadic orangish scoring . While they are feed on unlike hardwood tree , caterpillars have been observed to put up protective tents . In California , they are active from April to September and can have one or more brood a year . The females lay large masses of iridescent green eggs . Before emerging in the spring , the last brood overwinters as brown cocoon in foliage litter .
Ailanthus Webworm Moth
In California , populations of Ailanthus Webworm Moths ( Atteva aurea ) take issue in size of their yellow bit according to their geographical location . They have quick life-time cycles ; in four weeks , they go from eggs to adults . By consuming nectar fromflowers and chemical substance from the treeof heaven , they pollinate and dissuade predators with their bright colors . Before the final brood begins breed in the saltation , they overwinters as eggs . Their telling wingspan is 0.5 - 1.18 in ( 1.3 - 3 cm ) .
Polyphemus Moth
An restrain feature of the Polyphemus Moth ( Antheraea polyphemus ) is its tumid , intimidating eyespots that resemble the grimace of a great horned owl . They can be found in many different habitat in California , and as adult they only hold out for about four days . Because both sexes are alone focussed on coupling , they do not require food for thought . rather , Male utilize their feathered antennae to detect female person using pheromone . wingspan in grownup are 4 - 6 in ( 10 - 15 cm ) .
Milkweed Tussock Moth
Although the adults of the Milkweed Tussock Moth ( Euchaetes egle ) may come out uninteresting , their brightcaterpillars have tufts of black , white , orangish , and yellow . By hive away plant life chemicals and making admonition clicks to scare off bat , they guard off predators . They populate alongside monarchbutterfliesand act as innate pollinators for milkweed plants . The range of wingspans is 3.4 - 5.3 centimetre ( 1.25 - 1.7 inches ) .
Virginian Tiger Moth
The Virginian Tiger Moth ( Spilosoma virginica ) is a specie that lives well in a variety of environments in California , such as farm , grassland , forests , and urban areas . male identify distaff pheromones with their characteristic feathery antennae , which is how they commune . Having several broods a year , the final brood overwinters as Caterpillar . The reach of wingspans is 1.25 to 2 inch ( 3 - 5 atomic number 96 ) .
Giant Leopard Moth
The Hypercompe scribonia , or elephantine leopard moth , make its name from its eye - arrest patterns resembling Panthera pardus . They can discover and guard off predators , including squash racket , thanks to their big ears and tymbal variety meat . These moths are further protected by secrete a caustic fluid and feigning end . Adults have wingspans ranging from 5.7 - 8.9 cm ( 2.24 - 3.58 inches ) .
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