While I keep an eye on the succession of flowers bursting forth this time of year, I usually mark the first day of Spring as the day I see my first butterfly of the year, or the day a butterfly or moth I've been rearing emerges from its pupa after spending the winter on my porch. This year, it was a Rosy Maple Moth, from some pupae I ordered from Bill Oehlke (his website is
World's Largest Saturniidae Website). I've wanted to see this species up close ever since I saw a picture of it in my first bug guide. It lives in most of the states east of the Rockies and feeds on maple trees. Although it sometimes is a pest of those trees, it is such a beautiful moth that I don't think I'd mind a few less maple trees!
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| Rosy Maple Moth Dryocampa rubicunda |
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| Rosy Maple Moth Dryocampa rubicunda |
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| Rosy Maple Moth Dryocampa rubicunda |
That is a very pretty butterfly. I'll be looking for some butterflies to send pictures to you for identification. Don't be surprise if I send a picture of a moth or something, I don't know my butterflies to well. The idea from Dale was a good one. Have fun with that.
ReplyDeleteI think that's a cute moth--it's fuzzy. :-) I hope things go well with your website!
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