Phyllodesma americana
In 3 days ~10% in a week ~20%
Phyllodesma americana, the American lappet moth, is a moth of the family Lasiocampidae. It is found from Nova Scotia to northern Florida, west through Texas to California, north to British Columbia and Yukon. The wingspan is 29–49 mm. Adults are on wing from March to September in two generations in the south. In eastern Ontario, adults are on wing from May to July. The flight season in Ohio is from April to August. There is one generation per year in the northern part of the range.
The larvae feed on the leaves of Alnus, Betula, Quercus, Populus, Salix, Ceanothus velutinus, Chrysolepis chrysophylla and Rosoideae species. Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Bear Rainforest | 🇨🇦 Canada | |
| 2 | Olympic National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 3 | Acadia National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 4 | Great Smoky Mountains National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
Rare
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report an American Lappet Moth sighting in Austin on a given day, based on 18 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 873rd most-seen of the 1624 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, and over a week to about 20%, if each day is a fresh chance.
February and March
In those months about 10% of wildlife watchers report an American Lappet Moth in Austin on a given day, against under 5% in April to January, the lowest months.
Between 9 pm and midnight
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most American Lappet Moth sightings with a recorded time, and about half of them come between 6 pm and 6 am: it is seen both by day and at night.
Among the best
Of the 4 cities where we can rate American Lappet Moth sightings, Austin ranks 3rd at under 5%, level with the leaders once rounded. The best odds are in Dallas (United States, under 5%) and Edmonton (Canada, under 5%).
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the American Lappet Moth is recorded against all the insects logged in Austin (18 verified sightings), 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.
