Ermine Moths on Boneset

Ermine Moths on Boneset

Excellent banner Cheryl

Such a nice banner, Cheryl! The moths are so very pretty.

An intriguing, beautiful banner. Nothing more fascinating than the art of Nature.

They look like they have a flower print on them…how neat!

Great banner.
So amazing....the designs on the moths.....similar, but maybe no 2 alike?

Also interesting native plant (though apparently not in California)....
https://www.wildflower.org/pla...

Hi Cheryl, These are cool moths you captured in an image! The caterpillar stage is a webworm that feeds on Ailanthus trees (common name: Tree-of-heaven), which is not native to the U.S. and is considered a weedy tree that spreads readily by seed and underground sprouts. This pretty little moth is about the only good thing about tree-of-heaven!

~Thanks for all the nice comments everyone! I haven't been on NGA in some time now.
Hi Laurie, I did know about the ermine moth's other name, and that it feeds on "Tree of Heaven" which def IS NOT native you're correct....It stinks like burnt peanut butter and spreads horribly since it was first brought from Asia in the 1700s. Lastly, and worst of all, it hosts the Spotted Lantern Fly. It too, is a beautiful insect, but has wreaked havoc in this area for several years now sucking on native fruit trees, native nut trees and anything else it takes a shine too besides Ailanthus! Many of us have had to wrap a special sticky tape around tree trunks to catch the SLF. I hope it dies out~

Cheryl, I suspect spotted lanternfly will spread very quickly across the U.S. Very hard for growers to manage their crops as it is, and now they have to deal with another problem.