Key features

• Coloration: Males and females have different body size and coloration.  Females are larger with pinkish beige body and wings.  Top wings each have a small eyespot near the center.  On the top wing, a line runs from near the wingtip to the bottom margin of the wing.  The male has a dark brown body and wings.  Top wings each have a small eyespot, near the edge of a large white patch. 
• Shape:  Top wings are pointed at the tip and distinctly larger than the bottom wings, which are rounded.
• Wingspan: 3.3-4.5 cm (females on high end of wingspan range, males on low end)
• Similar species: Orange-striped Oakworm

When and where to find them

• Flight period in our area: June
• Activity period: DIURNAL, active commonly in the morning.  Their fast wingbeat means they can be mistaken for bees.   
• Host plant tree: Oaks

Links to more photos of this species

Butterflies and Moths of North America Flickr pool

BugGuide.net

Bugwood Network images

Links to more information about this species

Univ. of Florida Extension

Zip Code Zoo

Forest Pests

Sources
Tuskes, P.M., J.P. Tuttle, M.M. Collins. (1996) The Wild Silk Moths of North America: A Natural History of the Saturniidae of the United States and Canada. Cornell University Press. Ithaca, NY.
Covell, C.V. (2005) A Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America. Virginia Museum of Natural History. Martinsville, VA.