# Ceanothus Silk Moth (*Hyalophora euryalus*) The Ceanothus Silk Moth is a big, fluffy moth with beautiful blue and yellow colors. They are often found resting on trees and are known for their soft, silky wings. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Ceanothus Silk Moth](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ceanothus_Moth.jpg&width=800) Photo: Linda Tanner, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ceanothus_Moth.jpg) ## Appearance The Ceanothus Silk Moth has large, reddish-brown wings adorned with wavy white, pink, or purple bands and prominent crescent-shaped eye-spots on each wing. Its furry body adds to its robust appearance, making it distinct among North American moths. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Saturniidae - **Genus:** Hyalophora ## Interesting facts - Adult Ceanothus Silk Moths do not have mouths and cannot eat! They survive on stored energy. - Caterpillars eat so much, they shed their skin five times before becoming a pupa! - Its enormous wings are covered in tiny, colorful scales, creating beautiful patterns. - Males have huge, feathery antennae that can smell a female moth from miles away. ## Special abilities - **Winged Defense:** Ceanothus Silk Moth has large eye-spots on its hindwings that can startle predators, helping them escape danger. - **Pheromone Navigator:** Female moths release a special scent (pheromone) that helps male moths find them from miles away for mating. - **Silk Weaver:** As caterpillars, they spin strong, silken cocoons around themselves to safely transform into adult moths. - **Master Camouflage:** Young caterpillars are bright green, helping them blend perfectly with the leaves they munch on, hiding from predators. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 80-130 mm - **Size:** 25-35 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults don't eat at all, living off stored energy, while caterpillars are hungry leaf-munchers! - **Age differences:** Adults do not feed; caterpillars are herbivores that consume host plant leaves. - **Primary Foods:** Ceanothus leaves, Cherry leaves, Willow leaves, Alder leaves, Birch leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Deer Brush (*Ceanothus integerrimus*) — Caterpillars feed on its leaves - **Eats:** [Chokecherry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/chokecherry) (*Prunus virginiana*) — Caterpillars consume its foliage - **Eaten by:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-brown-bat) (*Myotis lucifugus*) — Adult moths are preyed upon - **Eaten by:** [Deer Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/deer-mouse) (*Peromyscus maniculatus*) — Larvae and pupae can be eaten ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Moths are generally safe to observe, but don’t touch them as they can be delicate. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Ceanothus Silk Moth? Compare resting wing shape, forewing markings, antennae and body build. Small brown moths can hinge on fine details a phone photo can't always catch. Moth Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Ceanothus Silk Moth's wingspan? 80-130 mm ### How big is Ceanothus Silk Moth? 25-35 mm ### How long does Ceanothus Silk Moth live? 7-14 days ### How fast can Ceanothus Silk Moth fly? 20 km/h ### What does Ceanothus Silk Moth eat? Adults don't eat at all, living off stored energy, while caterpillars are hungry leaf-munchers! ### Where is Ceanothus Silk Moth usually found? Forests ### How does Ceanothus Silk Moth hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Benbow Lake State Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/benbow-lake-state-recreation-area) — California, US · State Park - [Manito Park and Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/manito-park-and-botanical-gardens) — Washington, US · Botanical Garden ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Ceanothus Silk Moth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ceanothus-silk-moth)