Posts Tagged ‘moths’
Regal Moth
The regal moth, also known as the royal walnut moth, is truly stunning in both size and beauty. This nocturnal giant becomes active at dusk and flies all night. Found throughout Ohio, the moth’s distribution is closely tied to its larval host trees. They are found in deciduous forests in the eastern U.S. from New…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 09/17/2025
The striking luna moth, also known as the American moon moth, spends about a month of its life cycle as a handsome and hungry caterpillar. Found in deciduous woodlands in North America where their larval foods occur, the hardy caterpillars spend most of their time eating. They munch upon the leaves of walnut, hickory, birch,…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 08/20/2025
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! Known for its striking yellow and pink coloration, thick wooly body, and fuzzy antennae, the rosy maple moth is a favorite among moth enthusiasts. A small member of the silk moth family, the rosy maple moth is found in the eastern United States and Canada. It makes its home in deciduous forests and…
Read MoreMoths
Moths are amazing insects. These creatures have existed for around 190 million years – longer than butterflies. And they are an incredibly diverse group with around 170,000 different species worldwide. North America alone is home to more than 12,000 moth species. Scientists believe there are more moth species out there yet to be discovered. There…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 08/13/2025
Happy #WildlifeWednesday from the Isabella tiger moth! Perhaps more well-known in its larval form of the woolly bear, as an adult this moth is yellowish orange with black spotting on the wings and three bold dots on each abdominal segment. Its range is throughout the United States and Canada and it can often be found…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 08/06/2025
The striking luna moth, also known as the American moon moth, spends about a month of its life cycle as a hungry caterpillar. Found in deciduous woodlands in North America where their larval foods occur, the hardy caterpillars spend all of their time eating. Constantly. They munch upon the leaves of walnut, hickory, birch, and sweet gum…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 05/28/2025
Happy #WildlifeWednesday! Recently spotted on our Wilderness Walk trail is this large communal nest of the Eastern tent caterpillar. These caterpillars, which will eventually become moths, are among the most social of larvae. An adult female moth lays her eggs in late spring or early summer. She lays just one batch each year, containing about…
Read MoreFive-spotted Hawk Moth
Known for their rapid flight and ability to hover over a flower while feeding, the five-spotted hawk moth is another important nighttime pollinator. Although found throughout the U.S. it is more often found in northern states including Ohio. They’re found in various habitats, including gardens, meadows, woodlands, and even urban areas if they provide the…
Read MoreWildlife Wednesday 09/25/2024
The striking luna moth, also known as the American moon moth, spends about a month of its life cycle as a hungry caterpillar. Found in deciduous woodlands in North America where their larval foods occur, the hardy caterpillars spend all of their time eating. Constantly. They munch upon the leaves of walnut, hickory, birch, and…
Read MorePandorus Sphinx Moth
Some of the most beautiful, interesting and hard-working pollinators are rarely seen. Why? Because they work at night. One of the members of this night crew is the pandorus sphinx moth. Found throughout Ohio, this is a large moth with a wingspan of 3 to 4.5 inches. They have streamlined bodies and wings, their outline…
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