Caramelized and charred, their pungent odor is unmistakable. There are few moths whose larvae are so strongly associated with a single food source as the veneer or maple moth. Oncotype: wood- Boring insects. These insects have the ability to identify trees that will soon produce sap and then emerge from the ground to feed on them when they do. The process of producing caramelized leaves and shoots of maples is known as “synopsis”, an unusual word for an unusual phenomenon. In many cases, these insects can be quite destructive. Despite their reputation for being poisonous animals, there is no evidence that veneer moths or any other member of this family are capable of causing human illness. These moths are not even toxic to pets or livestock; they are simply not dangerous to humans in any way.
Are Moths Poisonous?
There is no universal answer to this question since there are many different types of moths. Some moths are poisonous, while others aren’t. It’s best to research the specific type of moth you’re curious about in order to determine if it is poisonous or not.
The Life Cycle Of Vaneer Moths
- The female lays her eggs in the bark of a maple tree, usually in late spring.
- The eggs hatch in mid-summer and the larvae feed on the leaves and bark of the tree.
- The larvae overwinter as pupae inside their cocoons, which are often found directly under the trees where they were born.
- In spring, these pupae hatch into adults (moths) that mate and produce more larvae for the next generation. The adult veneer moth is about 1 ½ inches long with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The male moth has a wingspan of about 2 ½ inches; females are smaller than males, with a wingspan of about 1 ½ inch.
- The moths are active from early June to late August depending on weather conditions, but usually peak from mid-June to mid-July when they are most common in urban areas where there is plenty of light and food for their larvae.
How To Identify A Vaneer Moth
- The larvae of these insects resemble a small, brown worm with a very long body.
- The adult stage of this moth is nocturnal and can be found during the late summer and early fall, usually between September and November.
- The adult appearance of these moths is similar to that of a small bird, with four wings that are transparent and easily seen in the day or lighted area.
- You will notice the wingspan of this moth is about 6 inches (15cm) across, while its body length is about 1/3 inch (8mm).
- The coloration of the adult veneer moth varies from brown to dark green in coloration, but it looks like any other moth – its shape is quite unusual though!
- Habitat: This insect loves to live on maple trees; they feed on maple leaves, buds and shoots throughout the year because they are not dependent on sap production. The reason for this is that maple trees produce sugar in the spring, which is the best time to feed. Maple trees can produce sugar for up to 4-6 months before they begin producing sap.
- The female moth lays her eggs on the bark of the tree and after a few days, the larva hatches and begins eating its way through the bark. After a few weeks, it has chewed a hole or “oo-nope” in the tree and emerges from it as an adult moth!
- As mentioned before, these insects are not known to be poisonous to humans or pets; however, they are not safe for use as food either!
How To Get Rid Of Vaneer Moths
- It’s important to make sure that the area infested with these moths is completely cleaned. If you’re unsure whether or not your home has been infested, it would be best to call an exterminator to come and check it out.
- Vaneer moths are attracted by light and carbon dioxide. Therefore, it would be useful to use a carbon dioxide diffuser to make your home less attractive to these insects. In addition, you should always keep doors and windows closed while sleeping so they do not have access to the inside of your home.
- If you are uncertain how long your house has been infested with vaner moths, the best thing you can do is check for holes in the walls or cracks in the ceiling where these insects could enter during warm months of the year. This way, you will know for sure whether or not your house has been infested in some way.
- In some cases, it is possible to catch these moths and then use them to rid your house of these pests. It is important to make sure that you get the correct species of veneer moth before doing this though. If you do not, then you will be wasting your time and money.
- If you are unable to find a professional exterminator and would like to attempt this yourself, you should first make sure that there are no other pests in your house that could be attracted by carbon dioxides such as roaches or mice. You will also need to check for any holes in the walls or ceilings where these insects could enter during warm months of the year.
Conclusion
The veneer or maple moth is a species of hemlock moth in the family Graphite. These are small groups of insects that feed exclusively on the sap of maples and other members of the hemlock family. These moths are small and brown with a wingspan of around 1 centimeter. Veneer moths are closely related to other common North American species like skeletonizers, walnut sphinx moths, and cabbage moths. These insects are common in the northeastern US and southern Canada. They are active throughout spring and early summer when the weather is cool and the sap flow is strong. Adult veneer moths emerge from the ground during this time and lay their eggs on maple and birch trees. These trees are the sole food sources for the veneer moth larvae. Veneer moths are not a serious threat to maple trees. They are only a concern when they are present in high numbers. If there are only a few veneer moths, they will do little damage. A few vaneer moths will not seriously harm the tree, and they may even pollinate the flowers and help it produce more sap.