![]() It has beautiful brown wings with red, white, and black bands outlined in white. The Cecropia moth is North America’s largest native moth species, with a wingspan around 5-6 inches. The striking eyespots and huge size make the Io moth a prized find for moth enthusiasts. They can be found across the eastern half of North America but are more common in the southern states like Virginia. These large, colorful moths fly at dusk and are attracted to lights at night. Eggs are laid in large masses on host plants. Adults emerge in late spring and live just one week to reproduce. Io moth caterpillars feed on a variety of deciduous trees and are sometimes considered pests. Antennae are feather-like in males and threadlike in females. The hindwings are mostly yellow with incomplete banding. The forewings are yellow, olive-brown and rusty red with very noticeable eyespots. With a wingspan reaching 4 inches, the Io moth is one of Virginia’s largest and most eye-catching species. Their striking appearance and prevalence make them a favorite among moth watchers and photographers in the state. These colorful moths are not considered pests. The spring brood emerges in late May while the summer brood appears in late July. Rosy maple moths are common across much of eastern North America with two generations per year in Virginia. They feed on maple leaves but are also found on oak, birch and other deciduous trees. ![]() Caterpillars are green with white and yellow stripes. They are nocturnal but may be spotted during daylight hours. ![]() These moths can be found resting on tree trunks where their coloration provides excellent camouflage. The hindwings are mostly yellow with a wide pink band along the outer margin. The forewings are rose-pink with a yellow stripe down the leading edge. With bright pink and yellow coloration, the Rosy Maple Moth is easy to identify. Still, the striking beauty and graceful flight of the Luna moth make it a treasured sight across Virginia. Threats include light pollution, pesticides, parasites and loss of host trees. While abundant, Luna moths have a short adult lifespan of just one week for mating and egg laying. The adult moth emerges after 1-2 weeks to mate and lay eggs. After multiple molts, the caterpillar will reach a length of 3 inches before it spins a brown papery cocoon on the trunks or branches of host trees. The caterpillars of the Luna moth are light green and feed on the leaves of walnut, hickory, sweetgum and persimmon trees. Luna moths are attracted to lights at night and sometimes mistaken for small birds due to their large size and graceful flight. The wings have long tails and are decorated with purple eyespots. With lime green wings spanning 3-4 inches, this moth is hard to miss. The Luna Moth is one of the most striking and beautiful moths found in Virginia. From vibrant giant silk moths to masters of disguise like prominent moths, read on to uncover the secret lives of these fascinating night flyers right in your own backyard. This article explores 20 of the most common moth species found across Virginia. While often overlooked compared to their butterfly relatives, moths display incredible adaptations from camouflage to mimicry that aid their survival. Ranging in size from an inch to nearly half a foot in wingspan, these nocturnal insects fill vital ecological roles as pollinators and food sources. From fluttering Luna moths to crop-damaging tobacco hornworms, Virginia plays host to a stunning diversity of moth species.
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