Spotted Apatelodes Moth
Common NameSpotted Apatelodes Moth
Scientific NameApatelodes torrefacta
FamilyApatelodidae
Wingspan (mm)40
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorslight brown, tan, reddish-brown, dark brown
HabitatDeciduous forests, woodlands, forest edges
Geographic RangeEastern North America, from Nova Scotia south to Florida and west to Texas and Manitoba
Host Plantsoak, maple, birch, cherry, sassafras, ash
Flight PeriodMay to August
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are hairy, often with tufts, and feed on various deciduous trees and shrubs. They pupate in a cocoon spun among leaves or in leaf litter.
Identification TipsLook for its broad, rounded, mottled forewings with a prominent dark reniform spot and a generally stout, furry body. The cryptic coloration helps it blend with tree bark.
Description
A medium-sized moth with broad, rounded wings, typically light brown to reddish-brown, featuring a mottled pattern of darker brown spots, lines, and a distinct reniform spot on each forewing. The body is stout and hairy.
