A Rose Plume by Any Other Name

Part Time Visitor

“Daddy, what the heck is that?” Little Bean is pointing to a large-wing span, orange bug sitting at the side of our door.

“Why that’s a Cnaemidophorus Rhododactyla, child,” I tell her.

Actually, I didn’t say that. I had no idea what it was and together we looked it up to determine it was a Cnaemidophorus Rhododactyla - otherwise known as a Rose Plume Moth.

It was very pretty, and allowed us to get very close to take a pictures.

They aren’t that rare in this area, but we learned that the reason we don’t see them too often is because their average life span as an adult month is a mere 3-5 days. From egg to adult, only about 15-25 days.

Often times, when it comes to creatures of the natural world, we look for some mythology or figurative meaning. And to be clear, moths in general have loads of symbolic meaning from transformation to spiritual growth, etc.

But this little fellow? Nothing. They eat rose petals when they’re young, fly away for a couple days as adults and then, poof. And even when they are adults, they most often get mistaken for a piece of dried leaf. What a life, huh?

Anyway, the kid and I spent some time learning about our little, very temporary friend. The lady of the house was briefly concerned about a Rose Plume Moth invasion eating her roses, but apparently the damage they can do is minimal.

One interesting side-note we discovered is that while in caterpillar stage, the moth can cause skin irritation with its toxic hairs.

Not bad for a creature that’s only alive for less than a month. And to think, this one spent two days near our front door. How honored we were to host it for half its adult life.