What type of moth is this?
This is a leopard moth (F: Erebidae). The leopard moth is one of the most widely distributed moth species. The adults are active for only a few days, with the sole aim of reproducing. Pink-orange eggs are laid on the bark of deciduous shrubs and trees, including pears and plums. Once the caterpillars emerge, they bore into wood, feeding on the heartwood of trees, disrupting the vascular tissue and causing dying branches through pathogen entry and structural weakness. The caterpillars remain active for 2 to 3 years before pupating in burrows to emerge as adults. The larvae provide a vital food source for many species of woodpeckers.
This week’s question is from Rob Last, Midlands Fruit and Vegetable Extension Agent.
The South Carolina Grower 