Edwards' Glassy-wing Moth

Nestled among the Bay Area’s oak trees, you might find the hairy, pale yellow Edwards’ glassy-wing moth (Pseudohemihyalea edwardsii). These moths live throughout California and the American Southwest and typically fly in summer and fall. Their larvae almost look like bumblebees with their furry black and yellow appearance.

Generally, moths like the Edwards’ glassy-wing are important to the ecosystems they inhabit: they serve as pollinators for a wide variety of plants, and are a vital food source to various birds and mammals. Their presence also indicates a healthy, biodiverse environment because it signals the presence of other invertebrates. This makes them key organisms for both their ecosystems and environmental researchers.