Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar Moth

Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar Moth

Lochmaeus manteo

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
at New York City

In 3 days ~10%

6 Verified sightings at New York City
15 In all 2 parks From 2019 to 2026
July Best month
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted

About the Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar Moth

Lochmaeus manteo, the variable oakleaf caterpillar moth, is a moth of the family Notodontidae. It is found in eastern North America. The wingspan is 37–50 mm. Adults are on wing from April to October. The larvae feed on various deciduous trees, especially Quercus species. Wikipedia →

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Shenandoah National Park 🇺🇸 United States
~10%
2 Great Smoky Mountains National Park 🇺🇸 United States
<5%

Cities Where Found

# City Country Daily sighting probability
1 Washington 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
2 Dallas 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
3 New York City 🇺🇸 United States
<5%

Before you go

What are the chances of seeing a Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar Moth in New York City?

Rare

Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar Moth sighting in New York City on a given day, based on 6 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 1363rd most-seen of the 1623 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, if each day is a fresh chance.

When is the best time to see a Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar Moth in New York City?

Any time of year

In every month with enough records, under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar Moth in New York City on a given day, so our monthly data shows no clear season.

What time of day is best to see a Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar Moth?

Between 11 am and 2 pm

Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar Moth sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.

Is New York City the best place to see a Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar Moth?

Among the best

Of the 3 cities where we can rate Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar Moth sightings, New York City ranks 3rd at under 5%, level with the leaders once rounded. The best odds are in Washington (United States, under 5%) and Dallas (United States, under 5%).

Where does the Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar Moth sighting chance come from?

GBIF citizen-science records

It is estimated from how often the Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar Moth is recorded against all the insects logged in New York City (6 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.

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