Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFSaturniidae Members:
Anisota Members:
159 NC Records

Anisota stigma (Fabricius, 1775) - Spiny Oakworm Moth

Anisota stigmaAnisota stigmaAnisota stigmaAnisota stigma
Taxonomy
Superfamily:
Bombycoidea		 Family:
Saturniidae		Subfamily:
Caratocaminae		P3 Number:
890014		 MONA Number:
7716.00
Comments: One of four species in this genus that occurs in North Carolina (3 others occur north of Mexico -- Tuskes et al. 1996)
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1923), Ferguson (1971), Tuskes et al. (1996)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Forbes (1923), Ferguson (1971), Covell (1984), Tuskes et al. (1996), Wagner (2005)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Adult males are distinctive. Compared to the males of other species of Anisota, they are unique in possessing opaque reddish wings with dark specklings and a well-defined, if diffuse, postmedian line; they are the only males that fly during the night and that are attracted to lights. Some confusion might be possible with male Sphingicampa bicolor, but the inner margin of the forewing is much shorter than the outer margin in Anisota species, whereas it is nearly equal in length in Sphingicampa (Forbes, 1923). Adult females differ from S. bicolor in this same respect, and the speckling on their forewings is shared among Anisota species only by A. senatoria. Female A. stigma can be distinguished from A. senatoria by the presence of a well-defined medial line on the hindwing and by similar coloration on both sets of wings; in senatoria, the hindwings are typically paler than the forewings. Photographs showing only the forewings may not provide enough information to separate these two species, but female A. stigma tend to be darker colored and possess more extensive speckling; they also are usually larger and have broader wings.
Wingspan: 45 mm, males; 60 mm, females (Forbes, 1923)
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from photos showing hindwings, abdomen, or other specialized views [e.g., frons, palps, antennae, undersides].
Immatures and Development: Larvae -- Spiny Oakworms -- like other members of this genus, have two prominent, black thoracic spines. Last instars are easy to recognize by their lack of longitudinal stripes and by the presence of numerous small white tubercles scattered all over the body and horns (Ferguson, 1971; Wagner, 2005).
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Probably found throughout the state except at high elevations where oaks are uncommon
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Anisota stigma
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

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