Where’s Wildlife · Moth Field Guide
Prionoxystus robiniae
Barklike camouflage hides a large moth whose caterpillars spend years developing inside trees.
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MOTH FIELD NOTES
Gray, white, and dark mottling blends with tree bark. Females are larger than males; males have an orange area on the hindwings. [2]
Compare the markings in these field photographs. Select any image to browse the full gallery.
Females place eggs in bark crevices or wounds. Caterpillars tunnel through wood and overwinter inside the tree. Development can take several years. [1]
The caterpillar stage supplies the energy for adulthood: adult Carpenterworm moths do not feed. Their wood-boring life is very different from the leaf-feeding habits of many other moth larvae. [2]
Explore reported Carpenterworm sightings. Observation records show where people have documented this moth and are not a complete range map.
[1] Utah State University Extension — Carpenterworm Moth
Host trees, bark camouflage, and multi-year development.
[2] Montana State University — Carpenterworm Moth
Male and female differences and adult feeding.