Rosy Maple Moth Missouri Department of Conservation

September 19,2024

The rosy maple moth has a variable coloration. In most cases, it is white, yellow, or cream-colored, with some amount of pink at the outer and inner portions of the wings. A dark pink form is most prevalent in the Ozarks, while a lighter version occurs in central and northeastern Missouri. A very pale form, called D. rubicunda alba — alba means “white” — occurs in western and most of northern Missouri. It is all white and often has a hint of pink markings. Larvae are greenish white with an orangish-brown head. There are two elongated black horns on the second thoracic segment (the second segment behind the head). A ring of tiny black spines encircles each abdominal segment; the ones on the top and sides are very short, but the ones lowest on the sides are longer. Spines on the hind end of the caterpillar are longer. Sometimes there is a pinkish-red patch on each side of the hind end (abdominal segments 7 and 8). In some stages, lengthwise stripes run down the body. Similar species: The pink prominent (Hyparpax aurora) has a similar coloration, but there are differences in the wing patterns; comparing photographs should help you distinguish these two unrelated species.