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Eight-Spotted Forester

Alypia octomaculata

Alypia octomaculata, also known as the Eight-spotted Forester Moth, is a small moth with a wingspan of about 1 inch. The wings are predominantly black with eight whiteish-yellow spots arranged in two rows. The body is also black with a few whiteish-yellow markings.

These moths are commonly found in deciduous forests, parks, gardens, and other wooded areas across eastern North America. As adults, they are active during the day and can often be seen visiting flowers for nectar

Habitat
Deciduous forests, parks, gardens, and other wooded areas
Scientific Name
Alypia octomaculata
Status
Common
Wing Span
30mm to 37mm
General Size
Small
Wing Color
black
black
Marking's Color
orange
orange
yellow
yellow
white
white
Markings Pattern
Spots
Color Patches

Characteristics describe the physical and behavioral traits that distinguish a species from others. This section helps readers identify and differentiate between similar species, aiding in species identification and reducing the chance of misidentification.

Identifying Characteristics

From Above:

  1. 8 large white/yellow spots on wings

  2. Orange-red leg hairs

  3. Yellow/orange markings by face

Identifying Characteristics

From Below:

  1. 8 large white/yellow spots on wings

  2. Orange-red leg hairs

  3. Yellow/orange markings by face

A range map is a visual representation of a species' geographical distribution, and it helps naturalists and field researchers quickly determine if a species is likely to be found in a given area, aiding in identification, conservation, and habitat management efforts.