The ailanthus defoliator is an Asian moth whose caterpillars feed mainly on tree of heaven, sometimes stripping trees bare. At rest its bark-colored forewings hide it well, but its hidden hindwings are bright yellow. It is not known to live in the United States.
Appearance
- Appearance
- The forewings are grayish brown with an olive tinge, a white band, and black spots. The hindwings are bright yellow with a black tip streaked with dark blue, and the yellow abdomen has rows of black spots.
Where it lives
- Typical habitats
- Tree of heaven stands
- Parks
- Forest edges
- Range
- Tropical and subtropical Asia, including China, India, and Sri Lanka; it has also been recorded in Korea and Japan. There are no known records from the United States.
Behavior
- Diet
- Caterpillars eat the leaves of tree of heaven and other Ailanthus trees, as well as Canarium trees; in China they have also been recorded on peach and Chinese toon.
Life cycle
- Reproduction
- The caterpillar builds a cocoon from scraped bark and silk that blends in with the tree.
- Larva
- Yellow and black striped with long white hairs, so it stands out on the leaves.
- Caterpillar food plants
- Ailanthus species such as tree of heaven, and Canarium trees.
Conservation
- IUCN Red List
- NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed
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