Robin's Carpenterworm (2693)

Prionoxystus robiniae

Family Cossidae (Carpenter and leopard moths), subfamily Cossinae
Photograph copyright by Tony Leukering

13 June 2012

Belleplain State Forest HQ

CMMP block F09
Distribution map

There are microleps that are big and there are macroleps that are small. This one is one of the former, just about the largest microlep illustrated in the new Peterson moth guide, with length reaching 45 mm. This is also yet another beast named for its caterpillar (obviously), which bores into wood of a variety of deciduous trees (ash, chestnut, locust, oak, poplar, willow). In places, various species of carpenterworm can be injurious to cultivated trees (such as fig plantations in California). However, Robin's Carpenterworm is a U. S. native and probably does not become a real pest in native habitats.

As might be expected from its wide variety of food plants, the species seems at least fairly widespread in Cape May County; I have seen it in Belleplain S. F. and at Green Creek. The only ones that I've seen have come to lights so, despite its size, it might be a mite difficult to encounter "in the wild."