Atteva aurea

The magnetic attraction of tree-of-heaven to spotted lanternfly makes the invasive tree a highly effective sentinel for detecting the invasive planthopper in Ohio. Of course, the investigative light shining on tree-of-heaven is also exposing web-nesting webworms.

Ailanthus Webworm caterpillars feed exclusively on the non-native, highly invasive, misleadingly named Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima, family Simaroubaceae). The webworms are the larval (caterpillar) stage of a beautiful ermine moth (Family Yponomeutidae). In my opinion, this is one of the most beautiful moths found in Ohio.