Spiny oakworm moth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spiny oakworm moth |
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The spiny oakworm moth (scientific name: Anisota stigma) is a type of moth. It belongs to a family of moths called Saturniidae, which are often known as giant silk moths. This moth was first described by a scientist named Johan Christian Fabricius in 1775.
The Spiny Oakworm Moth
The spiny oakworm moth is a fascinating insect found in North America. It gets its common name from the spiny look of its caterpillars and because they often eat oak leaves.
Where Do They Live?
You can find the spiny oakworm moth in many parts of North America. They live from Massachusetts and southern Ontario in the north, all the way down to Florida in the south. To the west, they can be found in states like Minnesota, Kansas, and Texas.
What Do They Look Like?
The spiny oakworm moth is a medium-sized moth. Its wingspan (the distance from one wingtip to the other when the wings are spread out) is about 45 millimeters (which is about 1.8 inches).
What Do They Eat?
The young spiny oakworm moths, called larvae or caterpillars, mainly eat the leaves of oak trees. This is why they are called "oakworms." However, they have also been seen eating leaves from hazel plants and basswood trees.
