Thought he was a beetle, but no, it’s the Ailianthus Webworm Moth. Which terrifying creature are you? The Joe Pye weed in the backyard prairie patch is also a butterfly magnet. Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), also called stinking sumac or Chinese sumac is naturalized throughout much of the United States.It was first introduced into the eastern United States in the late 1700s from China. Looking for Ailanthus webworm? Find out information about Ailanthus webworm. The Joe Pye weed in the backyard prairie patch is also a butterfly magnet. I haven't seen anything to indicate that this webworm is a potential check on the spread of Ailanthus, but I'd be glad to hear of anything you've come across that suggests … The Meaning Behind the Many Colors of India's Holi Festival This is an Ailanthus Webworm Moth and there are close to 100 images of this insect on our website. What Kind of Cat Are You? But elsewhere in North America, they eat the introduced, invasive ailanthus tree. In their tropical homelands to the south, ailanthus webworm caterpillars eat the leaves of native paradise trees. Ailanthus (/ ə ˈ l æ n θ ə s /; derived from ailanto, an Ambonese word probably meaning "tree of the gods" or "tree of heaven") is a genus of trees belonging to the family Simaroubaceae, in the order Sapindales (formerly Rutales or Geraniales).The genus is native from east Asia south to northern Australasia Ailanthus webworm moths (Atteva aurea) are flying to porch lights in southwest Ohio. Ailanthus altissima tree-of-heaven This plant can be weedy or invasive according to the authoritative sources noted below.This plant may be known by one or more common names in different places, and some are listed above. Ed. But elsewhere in North America, they eat the introduced, invasive ailanthus tree. In my opinion, this is one of the most beautiful moths found in Ohio both because of their coloration and because of what their caterpillars eat. Ease of establishment, rapid growth and absence of insect or disease problems resulted in tree of heaven being extensively planted in U.S. towns and cities during the 1800s. The native Fall Webworm produces an active caterpillar that has expanded its geographical range across both oceans into two continents. It was formerly known under the scientific name Atteva punctella. Caterpillars of this ermine moth (Family Yponomeutidae) feed exclusively on the non-native, highly invasive Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima). In … This is an Ailanthus Webworm Moth. Ailanthus Webworm Moth. Moths love it too! The caterpillars make loose webs on their food plants and live inside them. The larval (caterpillar) stage of this moth feeds on the leaves, flowers, seeds and even bark of this tree. An Ailanthus webworm moth competes with the bees for nectar, its bright geometric patterns a startling contrast. Ailanthus Webworm Moth. Thank you for your response. That night I had a visit from two large moths, I knew it was my GM and Aunt. Ailanthus webworm moth in September. Dear ESP, Your moth is a native species of Ermine Moth that has gotten the common name of Ailanthus Webworm. In most moth species, the male seeks the female to mate with her and the female then lays fertilized eggs.