Meet the rosy maple moth, the creature melting hearts on the internet

Common name: Rosy maple moth

Scientific name: Dryocampa rubicunda

Distribution: Found in North America

Description:
The rosy maple moth is a small colorful species of moth. Male moth has a wingspan of about 32-44 mm while female is slightly larger with a wingspan of 40-50 mm. Both sexes look alike with bright yellow body and hind-wings, reddish or pink upper-wings and antennae, bushy pink legs, a triangular yellow band across the back and two large black eyes.

Habit:

As the name implies, rosy maple moth depends on maple tree for food and to breed. Especially on red maple, sugar maple and silver maple. The female lays eggs on the back sides of maple leaves and the tiny caterpillars feed on these maple.