This is a Ailanthus Webworm Moth that I captured by porch light and staged for a focus stacking session. These moths often look like tiny brightly colored flower due to their patterns.
Their larvae are slender and brownish with lengthwise stripes and sparse, straight, medium-length hairs. They live communally in webs in Ailanthus Trees. The larvae live in clusters of silky webs and they eat the leaves of the these trees.
The Ailanthus Tree might be the most dangerous invasive exotic plant to the native North American ecosystem. Once it becomes established, it takes over, crowding out all other species. Unfortunately the caterpillars do not do lasting damage to the trees.
quixdraw wrote:
Remarkable yet again!
Thanks, Quixdraw. I appreciate your viewing and feedback.
Thanks for the reply, Elliott.
willaim
Loc: Sunny Southern California
WOW! Sharp and colorful just like your previous one.
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