Fall Cankerworm

Alsophila pometaria, commonly known as the “Fall Cankerworm Moth,” is a species of moth found throughout North America. The adult moth has a wingspan of about 2.5 to 3.5 cm and is typically light brown in color, with two dark brown wavy lines across each wing. Females have reduced wings and are flightless, which is not uncommon in moth species.  Flightless or reduced-winged females in some moth species often rely on their male counterparts to mate and disperse their eggs, likely due to their adaptation as egg-layers and protectors of their young.

The Fall Cankerworm Moth is most commonly identified by the behavior of its larvae, which are also known as “inchworms.” These larvae have a unique way of moving by arching their backs and bringing their front legs forward to form a loop, which they then use to propel themselves forward. They can cause significant damage to trees by defoliating them in the fall, hence the name “cankerworm.”

A fun fact about this species is that its scientific name, Alsophila pometaria, is derived from the Greek words “also” meaning “grove,” “philo” meaning “love,” and “pomum” meaning “fruit.” This refers to the species’ preference for fruit trees as its host plants.