This is a tropical species that appears to have spread with the introduction from China of Tree of Heaven, which has become an invasive species. The Ailanthus Webworm Moth is now common in the eastern U.S.
Adults are distinctive and easily recognizable.
The Ailanthus Webworm Moth was formerly a tropical specialist of paradise trees (Simarouba spp.), one of which is native to Florida. The larval host plant of Ailanthus Webworm Moth in our area is primarily Tree of Heaven, a plant whose invasiveness appears to have enabled a massive range expansion for the moth — so much so that a native North American moth now has a common name based on an invasive plant!
There are 1,182 records in the project database.
GA | AL | WA | FR | CL | MO | HO | BA | BC | HA | CE | PG | AA | CV | CH | SM | KE | QA | CN | TA | DO | WI | SO | WO |