Carpenterworm Moth (Prionoxystus robiniae)
The carpenterworm moth is a member of the family of Cossidae moths. It is widely considered a pest because of the larvae’s ability to bore plants like ash and oak into the wood. This moth is found in North America.
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Scientific Classification
- Family: Cossidae
- Genus: Prionoxystus
- Scientific Name: Prionoxystus robiniae
Description and Identification
Caterpillar
The larva’s body ranges from green to red and is covered with black spots. Its head is dark brown, and it even has a hairy appearance.
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Pupa
The pupae are fully sclerotized, i.e., they do not spend this stage in a cocoon. They are dark brown, with the female’s length ranging between 3.8 and 5 cm and that of the male being 2.5 cm.
Adult Moth
Sexual Dimorphism: Present. The forewings of the female are more mottled than the male. Also, the yellow color seen in the hindwings of the male is absent in females.
Color and Appearance
Forewing: When the wings are opened, they have a gray mottled pattern. When the wings are closed, the patterns remain observable.
Hindwing: When the wings are opened, they are yellowish-orange with a black border present in the males. When the wings are closed, this color is not visible at all.
Average wingspan: Females: 7.5 cm Males: 5 cm
Flight pattern: Erratic
Season: April-October
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Egg
The egg is greenish-gray, oval, and 1mm in diameter. Around 200 eggs are laid in clusters inside the crevices of the host plants.
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Quick Facts
| Distribution | Southern Canada as well as the greater United States |
| Habitat | Deciduous forests |
| Lifespan of Adults | Not recorded |
| Predators | Birds, bats |
| Host Plants | Ash, chestnut, locust, maple, oak, poplar, and willow. |
| Adult Diet | Does not feed |
Did You Know
- This species was first described by American naturalist William Dandridge Peck in 1818.
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indiananature.net
Scientific Classification
- Family: Cossidae
- Genus: Prionoxystus
- Scientific Name: Prionoxystus robiniae
