BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS

Cecropia Moth, Hyalophora cecropia

Order: Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)

Size: Wingspan 4–6"

Habitat: Open woodlands, gardens, orchards

Range: Throughout eastern United States and southeastern California

The Cecropia Moth is a huge silk moth—indeed the largest moth in North America—and is colored with a rich tapestry of reds, browns, and white. The upperside wings have a background color of charcoal brown and pale margins, with both wings showing red-and-white crescent-shaped spots toward their interiors. The forewing has a black eyespot at the apex. The underside is patterned similarly but is paler overall. The upper surface of the body is reddish brown on the thorax and striped white, red, and black on the abdomen; its underside is spotted below. The legs are orange-red, and there is a white collar behind the head. Females have a plump abdomen and thin antennae, while males have narrower abdomens and very bushy antennae. The caterpillar is plump and light green, and has orange tubercles on the head and back and rows of blue tubercles along the sides. The caterpillar eats leaves from a variety of broadleaf trees, including maple, birch, walnut, plum, and cherry. Adults do not feed.