The ailanthus webworm (Atteva aurea) is an ermine moth now found commonly in the United States.

[3] The ailanthus webworm is thought to be native to South Florida and the American tropics (south to Costa Rica), which were the habitat of its original larval host plants: the paradise tree (Simarouba glauca) and Simarouba amara.

Another tree called tree-of-heaven, (Ailanthus altissima), originally from China, has been widely introduced into landscapes and invaded into natural areas where Atteva aurea has been able to adapt to this new host plant, giving rise to its common name.

This species appears to be either adapting to colder areas, or staying further north due to changing climates.

[4] Larvae produce nests on the host plant by pulling two or more leaflets around a network of loose webbing.