Cecropia Moth

Hyalophora cecropia

The Cecropia Moth is one of the largest moths in North America! Its colorful wings can be red, yellow, and brown.

Habitat: Forests and woodlands

Appearance

The Cecropia Moth is North America's largest native moth, featuring striking reddish-brown wings with wavy white bands. Its hindwings have distinctive orange-red eyespots outlined in black, making it easily recognizable from other large moths.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilySaturniidaeGenusHyalophora

Cecropia Moth

Interesting facts

Adult Cecropia Moths only live for about two weeks because they can't eat!

It's the biggest native moth in North America, with wings as wide as your hand!

Its caterpillar can grow as big as a hot dog, covered in colorful spikes!

Males have giant feathery antennae that can smell a female moth from miles away!

Special abilities

Cecropia Moths have feathery antennae that can detect female pheromones from miles away, helping males find a mate.

The Cecropia Moth caterpillar can spin a tough, silk cocoon, providing a safe, insulated home for its transformation.

Adult Cecropia Moths do not eat, relying on energy stored from their caterpillar stage to reproduce before their short life ends.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 130-160 mm
Size: 50-70 mm
Lifespan: 7-14 days
Flight Speed: 20 km/h
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

Adults don't eat, but the big caterpillars love munching leaves from many different trees and shrubs.

Age differences: Adult moths do not eat at all, focusing solely on reproduction and have no working mouthparts.

Primary Foods

Maple leaves
Birch leaves
Cherry leaves
Apple leaves
Lilac leaves
Willow leaves

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus

Owls hunt adult moths at night.

parasitizes

Tachinid Fly

Compsilura concinnata

This invasive fly lays eggs on caterpillars, causing harm.

eats

Red Maple

Acer rubrum

Caterpillars feed on its leaves to grow large.

eats

Black Cherry

Prunus serotina

Caterpillars also enjoy munching these leaves.

Traits

Colorful

Discover amazing plants and animals that show off a dazzling array of bright and beautiful hues! They use their vibrant colors to attract attention or send signals.

Herbivorous

Meet the peaceful munchers and grazers who find all their nourishment from plants, leaves, and fruits. They transform plant energy into life!

Symbiotic

Discover amazing partnerships in nature! These species live closely together, often helping each other in wonderful ways, showing how cooperation makes life better for all.

Forest

These lush habitats are filled with countless trees, offering homes to a huge variety of plants and animals! Immerse yourself in the green canopy.

Keystone Species

Discover the hidden heroes of nature! These special species play an incredibly important role in their habitat, holding the entire ecosystem together like a crucial piece of a puzzle.

Giant

Prepare to be amazed by creatures or plants that are much bigger than usual! These impressive giants really stand out in the natural world.

Nocturnal

Explore the secret world of animals that come alive at night! They are wide awake when it's dark, using their amazing senses to find food and play.

Pollinator

Meet the busy helpers of the plant world! These creatures carry pollen from one flower to another, helping plants make seeds and grow fruits and vegetables.