Derrima stellata
| Pink star moth | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Superfamily: | Noctuoidea |
| Family: | Noctuidae |
| Genus: | Derrima |
| Species: | D. stellata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Derrima stellata Walker, 1858
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Derrima stellata, the pink star moth, is a species of moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found from southern Maine to Florida, west to Missouri and Texas.
The wingspan is 21–30 mm. Adults are on wing from April to May and from July to August. There are two generations per year. It is listed as a species of special concern in Connecticut.[1]
For many years, according to David L. Wagner, "the Holy Grail for moth life histories in the East Coast was the pink star moth."[2] In 2024, however, Caterpillar Lab intern Logan Dieck discovered a small caterpillar apparently feeding on seeds of a dead pinweed plant in southern NH. By collecting more caterpillars and overwintering their pupae, caterpillar expert Sam Jaffe confirmed that these were larvae of the pink star moth.[3]
References
- ^ "Connecticut's Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species 2015". State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Bureau of Natural Resources. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
- ^ "Mysteries of the Moth: More Than Meets the Eye". Xerces Society. October 15, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
the Holy Grail for moth life histories in the East Coast was the pink star moth
- ^ "Finding the Pink Star Caterpillar". Northern Woodlands. September 8, 2025. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
The adult moth has been documented since 1858, but its caterpillar stage and host plants had remained a mystery.
External links
- Moth Photographers Group Images
- Butterflies and Moths of North America