Phryganidia californica
In 3 days ~20% in a week ~40%
Phryganidia californica, the California oakworm or California oak moth, is a moth of the family Notodontidae and subfamily Dioptinae. The species was first described by Alpheus Spring Packard in 1864. It is found along the coasts of the US states of California and Oregon, and Washington. The California oak moth is the only member of its subfamily to be found north of Mexico.
The wingspan is about 30 mm (1.2 in). They are tan to gray moths with prominent wing veins. Adults are on wing from March to November. There are two generations per year in northern California. Sometimes there is a third generation in southern California.
The larvae are black with lengthwise yellow stripes. Full-grown larvae are about 30 mm (1.2 in) long. Pupation takes place in a white or yellow pupa with black markings. The larvae feed on the leaves of deciduous oaks, especially Quercus agrifolia (coast live oak). Young larvae feed between veins on the lower leaf surface. Although the upper leaf surface is left intact, it dries out and turns brown. Larvae in later instars chew completely through the leaf blade, often leaving only major leaf veins. Small frass pellets drop from the canopy as larvae feed. In outbreak years, individual trees or groups of trees may be almost entirely defoliated, typically by late summer or early fall. Trees are consumed based on where a female moth lays her eggs, however the defensive chemistry of oaks themselves may be a factor. This chemistry may also protect larvae from diurnal predators: while many non-toxic moths and caterpillars feed at night, California oak moths and their larvae can be seen safely feeding during the day.
California oak moth larvae utilize silk threads in order to reach the ground or, alternatively, another oak tree. If the larvae lands on another oak tree, it will continue feeding until ready to pupate. Upon landing on the ground, the larvae will find a suitable location to pupate. This location can range from the sides of trees, rocks, buildings, or other manmade objects. Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Redwood National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Channel Islands National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
| # | City | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | 🇺🇸 United States |
With luck
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a California Oak Moth sighting in Channel Islands National Park on a given day, based on 11 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 63rd most-seen of the 131 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 20%, and over a week to about 40%, if each day is a fresh chance.
January to August
In those months about 10% of wildlife watchers report a California Oak Moth in Channel Islands National Park on a given day, against under 5% in September to December, the lowest months.
Between 3 and 6 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most California Oak Moth sightings with a recorded time, and about 8 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
Among the best
Of the 2 parks where we can rate California Oak Moth sightings, Channel Islands National Park ranks 2nd at about 10%, level with the leaders once rounded. The best odds are in Redwood National Park (United States, about 10%).
Same order: Lepidoptera
The closest relatives of the California Oak Moth that you can see in Channel Islands National Park (order Lepidoptera, Butterflies and Moths) are Salt Marsh Moth (about 30%), Lophocampa indistincta (about 30%) and Monarch (about 30%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the California Oak Moth is recorded against all the insects logged in Channel Islands National Park (11 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
