Angulose Prominent Moth

Common name: Angulose prominent, Fishers island NY, June 2017.

Scientific name: Peridea angulosa

Season: Two generations in the Northeast. Adults, late spring into June, and again in late summer. Caterpillars through summer and late into fall. Caterpillars overwinter as pupae and seek out sites to pupate when the leaves fall.

Food: Exclusively, species of oak.

Ecology: Caterpillars of the angulose prominent are specialist feeders, meaning they can only feed on one or two species of plants to grow and develop. When disturbed, the caterpillars coil up like snakes, although they are completely harmless.

Adam Mitchell Photo