California Oak Moth

Phryganidia californica. Hundreds and hundreds of moths--light wings flitting and hovering under the thick oak branches. I stand fascinated. Is it beautiful and magical, or a gross and dangerous insect invasion? The males have to-die-for thick feathery antennae and golden epaulettes. Their one goal is to mate and create the next generation of caterpillars. The air is so alive with motion that it's hard to find one at rest.

The pupae (shown in the inset) are less than a half inch long, and look to be carved from ivory, like the tiny figures we just saw at the Japanese festival. I wait in vain to see a moth actually emerge from the intricate casing. Standing so long under the dark wing-lit branches begins to feel crawly--my back starts to itch where I imagine moths to be landing. There are too many.


Although an invasion of these moths can defoliate a tree, a healthy oak can usually recover.