Ailanthus Webworm Moth Atteva aurea Fitch, 1856Adventive    Synonyms: Atteva punctella, Hodges #2401.
Kingdom Animalia   >   Phylum Arthropoda   >   Class Insecta   >   Order Lepidoptera   >   Family Yponomeutidae   >   Genus Atteva   

Status:

This is a tropical species that appears to have spread with the introduction of Tree of Heaven. It is now common in the eastern U.S.

Description:

Adults are distinctive and easily recognizable.

Relationships:

The Ailanthus Webworm Moth was formerly a tropical specialist of paradise trees (Simarouba). Larval host plant in our area is primarily Tree of Heaven. This invasive species appears to have enabled a massive range expansion for the Ailanthus Webworm Moth, so much so that a native North American moth now has a common name based on an invasive species!

There are 1,096 records in the project database.

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An Ailanthus Webworm Moth in Harford Co., Maryland (7/20/2014). Photo by Mike Burchett. (MBP list)

An Ailanthus Webworm Moth in Baltimore Co., Maryland (8/12/2013). Photo by Benjamin DeHaven. (MBP list)

An Ailanthus Webworm Moth in Frederick Co., Maryland (9/15/2017). Photo by Mark Etheridge. (MBP list)

Ailanthus Webworm Moth in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (6/2/2016). Photo by Robert Aguilar, SERC. (MBP list)

An Ailanthus Webworm Moth on White Sweetclover in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (6/30/2013). Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

An Ailanthus Webworm Moth in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (9/15/2012). Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

An Ailanthus Webworm Moth in Frederick Co., Maryland (10/17/2016). Photo by Mark Etheridge. (MBP list)

Ailanthus Webworm Moth in Baltimore Co., Maryland (8/10/2014). Photo by Bill Adams. (MBP list)

An Ailanthus Webworm Moth in Calvert Co., Maryland (7/30/2016). Photo by Tyler Bell. (MBP list)

An Ailanthus Webworm Moth in Montgomery Co., Maryland (9/7/2014). Photo by Ashley Bradford. (MBP list)

An Ailanthus Webworm Moth in Baltimore Co., Maryland (9/26/2017). Photo by Richard Crook. (MBP list)

An Ailanthus Webworm Moth in Washington Co., Maryland (9/28/2018). Photo by Mark Etheridge. (MBP list)

A Ailanthus Webworm Moth in Harford Co., Maryland (6/30/2013). Photo by Mike Burchett. (MBP list)

Ailanthus Webworm Moth in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (9/5/2020). (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Judy Gallagher. (MBP list)

Ailanthus Webworm Moth in Baltimore Co., Maryland (8/25/2022). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Frode Jacobsen. (MBP list)

An Ailanthus Webworm Moth in Baltimore Co., Maryland (9/10/2014). Photo by Frode Jacobsen. (MBP list)

An Ailanthus Webworm Moth in Harford Co., Maryland (7/26/2020). Photo by Dave Webb. (MBP list)

An Ailanthus Webworm Moth in Baltimore Co., Maryland (8/8/2020). Photo by Dave Webb. (MBP list)

An Ailanthus Webworm Moth in Baltimore Co., Maryland (9/12/2020). Photo by Dave Webb. (MBP list)

An Ailanthus Webworm Moth in Harford Co., Maryland (8/9/2022). Photo by Dave Webb. (MBP list)

An Ailanthus Webworm Moth in Kent Co., Maryland (8/7/2021). Photo by Dave Webb. (MBP list)

A mating pair of Ailanthus Webworm Moths in Frederick Co., Maryland (7/18/2015). Photo by Mark Etheridge. (MBP list)

An Ailanthus Webworm Moth in Howard Co., Maryland (7//2002). Photo by Larry Line. (MBP list)

An Ailanthus Webworm in Charles Co., Maryland (8/6/2009). Photo by Eric Gofreed. (MBP list)

Ailanthus Webworm Moth caterpillars in Calvert Co., Maryland (8/28/2017). Photo by Ben Springer. (MBP list)

An Ailanthus Webworm in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (8/18/2007). Photo by Stephen Schueman. (MBP list)

Ailanthus Webworms in Calvert Co., Maryland (8/29/2006). Photo by Arlene Ripley. (MBP list)

An Ailanthus Webworm Moth larva in Baltimore City, Maryland (8/18/2016). Determined by John and Jane Balaban/BugGuide. Photo by Derek Hudgins. (MBP list)

An Ailanthus Webworm Moth pupa in Prince George's Co., Maryland (9/3/2012). Photo by Barbara Thurlow. (MBP list)

An Ailanthus Webworm Moth caterpillar in Harford Co., Maryland (8/23/2017). Photo by Josh Emm. (MBP list)

An Ailanthus Webworm Moth larva in Charles Co., Maryland (8/24/2022). Photo by Dave Webb. (MBP list)

An Ailanthus Webworm pupa in Calvert Co., Maryland (8/25/2006). Photo by Arlene Ripley. (MBP list)

An Ailanthus Webworm pupa in Charles Co., Maryland (8/6/2009). Photo by Eric Gofreed. (MBP list)

An Ailanthus Webworm pupal case in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (8/18/2007). Photo by Stephen Schueman. (MBP list)

Ailanthus Webworm Moth in Charles Co., Maryland (9/9/2023). (c) Deborah Barber, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Deborah Barber via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

An Ailanthus Webworm Moth collected in Frederick Co., Maryland (7/23/2001). Photo by Mark Etheridge. (MBP list)


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