Many may associate moths with dark colors and various shades of brown. But not all moths are dark as some are even yellow and pink.
Bright and as colorful as butterflies, moths may have yellow and pink nuances that dominate the appearance of their forewings, body, and hindwings.
Some of the most common species of yellow and pink moths are found in The Northern Hemisphere, including in North America.
Multiple Eastern US states host these types of colorful moths, together with states in the South or on The West Coast.
Across the world, The Palearctic Region is the main distribution area of yellow and pink moths.
They tend to be active during the summer months here and almost to November in the Southernmost territories.
Here are some of the most common types of yellow and pink moths found in North America, Europe, Asia, Central America, and elsewhere around the world.
Table of Contents
1. Rosy Maple Moth
A type of silk moth, Rosy Maple Moths (Dryocampa rubicunda) are among the most common types of yellow and pink moths in North America.
A species settling on oaks in the Eastern part of North America, Yellow, and Pink Moths are among the most common species with only yellow and pink colors.
Its body is darker yellow while its wings are bright yellow and bright pink. The legs of the species are also pink and typically have a darker nuance.
Maple and oak trees next to urban areas or even inside urban areas are the ideal hosts of the species, their eggs, and caterpillars.
Distribution – Eastern United States, Southeastern Canada
2. Chickweed Geometer Moth
Chickweed Geometer Moths (Haematopis grataria) are US and Canadian natives.
They feature yellow and pink colors across the forewings and hindwings.
Yellow dominates their appearance while pink contrasts some of the key areas of the wings such as the margins of the forewings and hindwings. Pink bands also decorate its wings.
Males and females share the same yellow-pink color pattern but are separated by the feathery antennae specific to males.
This species feeds on various weeds such as chickweed, especially in its caterpillar stage.
Once it emerges as an adult, the moth grows to a maximum wingspan of 4 inches.
Distribution – United States, South Canada
3. Mint-loving Pyrausta Moth
Named after its mint host plants, Mint-loving Pyrausta Moths (Pyrausta acrionalis) are among the most common types of yellow and pink moths in the Eastern US states.
Its yellow color is seen across its forewings and wings while its pink colors add decoration to its wings.
Most Mint-loving Pyrausta Moths have dark pink nuances or pink-purple nuances.
Spotted along roads, gardens, and other open areas where mint grows, these moths may also end up in homes as they move toward light sources at night.
Distribution – Eastern and Southeastern United States
4. Southern Purple Mint Moth
Dark pink and dark yellow colors contrast the appearance of The Southern Purple Mint Moth (Pyrausta laticlavia).
This is a species that has a highly contrasting appearance with yellow wings that show wide pink margins and pink bands across.
A species that feeds on rosemary, the Southern Purple Mint Moth also lays eggs on rosemary.
Emerged caterpillars take on a green and yellow appearance so they camouflage themselves on rosemary.
Up to 3 broods of Southern Purple Mint Moth Caterpillars may appear per year.
Distribution – Southeastern United States, California
5. Coffee-loving Pyrausta Moth
Wild coffee and clematis are some of the most common hosts of The Coffee-loving Pyrausta Moths (Pyrausta tyralis).
These moths have a dark appearance dominated by yellow and dark pink or pink-purple shades.
Its wings are mostly dark pink with just a few interrupted yellow bands. 2 yellow bands contrast its dark purple forewings.
This species is active throughout the year in some parts of The United States, and especially in Mexico.
While a coffee-bound yellow and pink moth, The Coffee-loving Pyrausta Moths have been spotted as far North as New York.
Distribution – Eastern and Southern United States, Mexico, Costa Rica
6. Western Sheep Moth
Pink and yellow or yellow and black morphs are common for The Western Sheep Moth (Hemileuca eglanterina). This species also comes in a rare all-black morph.
Its forewings have a yellow streak and are pink while its hindwings are mostly yellow.
The moth is mostly seen in early summer and in the first part of the summer in US territories such as California.
It visits multiple fragrant flowers and shrubs such as California lilac and various types of rose family flowers.
The moth also lays cream-colored eggs directly on these types of host flowers.
Distribution – California and The West Coast
7. Primrose Moth
Evening primrose flowers are some of the typical hosts of the Primrose Moth (Schinia florida).
A common species of evening primrose in Easter US territories, this type of moth has a very bright appearance.
Bright yellow sections are specific to its hairy hair and upper body while its lower body is bright yellow or even white.
Pale yellow or white wings are decorated with pale pink nuances. Over time, the pink nuances of its wings may darken.
Spotted up until August in its Northernmost territories, this species can be seen in almost fully pink forewings and white-yellow rear wings.
Distribution – Northeastern United States
8. Vestal
Vestal moths (Rhodometra sacraria) represent a bright species where only pink and yellow colors are seen in a resting wing position.
This species has yellow forewings with a bright pink band across.
Its hindwings are mostly white while its head is also yellow.
Some color variations are specific between the sexes. Males tend to have a golden color instead of a yellow color of the forewings in some areas.
Its caterpillars also share a pink-red lateral band as they try to mimic twigs in their body shape.
Dog fennel and knotgrass are some of the most common hosts of the species.
Distribution – Europe, Asia
9. Small Elephant Hawkmoth
A mostly European and Asian species, The Small Elephant Hawkmoth (Deilephila porcellus) is dominated by a contrasting yellow and pink appearance.
Most of its body is covered in pink hairs, with just a few small yellow sections on the lower body.
Its forewings have pink margins with a yellow inner section.
Similar to the forewings, its rear wings have pink margins and yellow inner sections.
Its caterpillars aren’t colorful at all. Most of their instars are marked by a gray-black appearance.
Small Elephant Hawkmoths rely on wildflowers to survive. Bedstraw and other types of wildflowers attract these types of moths.
Distribution – Europe, Asia, North Africa
10. Clouded Buff
Yellow and pink colors are specific to the body and the forewings of The Clouded Buff (Diacrisia sannio).
This is a species that has a bright appearance in the case of males, which are also more active.
Male Clouded Buffs have yellow forewings with pink margins and pink patterns.
The upper body and the head of the male have a golden yellow color while the rear wings have a faded yellow and gray color combination.
Some morphs of this species show pink-dominant forewings.
Mostly active during the warmest months of the summer, Clouded Buff moths aren’t native to North America.
Distribution – Europe, Asia, North Africa
11. Purple-barred Yellow
A high variation of patterns is specific to The Purple-barred Yellow (Lythria purpuraria).
This species is mostly yellow, but the pink patterns on its wings are variable. They can be seen in the form of pink bands or pink dots.
The forewings of Purple-barred Yellows tend to have at least a few stripes or dots.
Pink margins are also specific to the forewings and the rear wings.
Active at the beginning and at the end of the summer, Purple-barred Yellows feed on different weeds such as knotweed.
Distribution – Europe, Asia
12. Elephant Hawkmoth
Elephant Hawkmoths (Deilephila elpenor) are one of the pink hawkmoths that live both in Europe and North America.
Pink and dark yellow or mustard-yellow are the main colors of this moth.
Its body, forewings, and hindwings have a combination of a base yellow color with pink contouring.
This type of moth has very bright yellow and bright pink ventral coloring.
Overwintering as a caterpillar, it can be found in diverse habitats and it may even fly indoors attracted to light.
Elephant Hawkmoths are mostly attracted to aromatic flowers. It feeds on pink wildflowers such as willowherb or bedstraw.
Distribution – North America, Europe
13. Inornate Pyrausta Moth
Bright yellow and rose pink are the contrasting colors of The Inornate Pyrausta Moths (Pyrausta inornatalis).
These moths are seen across different types of habitats where they may rest and only show their dark pink forewings.
The body and the hindwings of the species are mostly yellow or pale yellow.
Vine-red variants of the species also exist, depending on the region.
Active almost throughout the year, The Inornate Pyrausta Moth is found across various open spaces from California to Florida.
Its typical plant hosts include those in the sage family, such as mealy sage.
Distribution – Southern United States, Mexico