Southwestern Tent Caterpillar Moth

Southwestern Tent Caterpillar Moth

Malacosoma incurva

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck
at Zion National Park

In 3 days ~30% in a week ~60%

13 Verified sightings at Zion National Park From 2019 to 2026
38 In all 3 parks
April Best month
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted

About the Southwestern Tent Caterpillar Moth

Malacosoma incurva, the southwestern tent caterpillar moth, is a species of moth of the family Lasiocampidae. It was first described by Henry Edwards in 1882. It is found in south-western North America, including Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah.

The wingspan is about 27 mm. The larvae feed on Populus fremontii, Salix and Prunus species. Wikipedia →

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Zion National Park 🇺🇸 United States
~10%
2 Grand Canyon National Park 🇺🇸 United States
~10%
3 Joshua Tree National Park 🇺🇸 United States
~10%

Before you go

What are the chances of seeing a Southwestern Tent Caterpillar Moth in Zion National Park?

With luck

About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Southwestern Tent Caterpillar Moth sighting in Zion National Park on a given day, based on 13 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 42nd most-seen of the 114 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 30%, and over a week to about 60%, if each day is a fresh chance.

When is the best time to see a Southwestern Tent Caterpillar Moth in Zion National Park?

April

In that month about 30% of wildlife watchers report a Southwestern Tent Caterpillar Moth in Zion National Park on a given day, against under 5% in June to March, the lowest months.

What time of day is best to see a Southwestern Tent Caterpillar Moth?

Between 9 am and noon

Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Southwestern Tent Caterpillar Moth sightings with a recorded time, and nearly all of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.

Is Zion National Park the best place to see a Southwestern Tent Caterpillar Moth?

Yes

Of the 3 parks where we can rate Southwestern Tent Caterpillar Moth sightings, Zion National Park has the highest daily chance: about 10%. Next come Grand Canyon National Park (United States, about 10%) and Joshua Tree National Park (United States, about 10%).

Where does the Southwestern Tent Caterpillar Moth sighting chance come from?

GBIF citizen-science records

It is estimated from how often the Southwestern Tent Caterpillar Moth is recorded against all the insects logged in Zion National Park (13 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.

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