Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 909055

Orange-tipped oakworm moth
Anisota senatoria

Observation date: July 07, 2013
Submitted by: futurebird
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: about 1.5" long, sleeping with eyes closed (opened them for a bit then closed them again.)
Status: Resident
Verified by: Ryan St Laurent
Verified date: July 07, 2013
Coordinator notes: Funny, I just made this identification on BugGuide. Here is my comment originally posted with my ID on BG: Martha's Vineyard is home to three species of oakworm moth: orange striped (A. senatoria), pink striped (A. virginiensis), and spiny (A. stigma). Though this is not a pink striped, you can expect to see them in New England as it actually ranges further north than just Martha's Vineyard. The females of both of the other two species of Anisota found in your area are quite similar, but based on a few traits of this individual (i.e. pointed/elongated forewings, orange ground color), I believe this is the orange striped oakworm (A. senatoria). I don't know what you mean about this moth being able to "open and close" its eyes. While Anisota sp. do have black eyes, they are quite small and are often hidden by the fur-like scales that coat the head and thorax. So it might seem like the eyes open and close, but it is incapable of such an act.