# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 32 - **Habitat:** Forests and woodlands - **Also known as:** Cecropia Silk Moth, Giant Silk Moth ![Cecropia Moth](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424739/objects/5553.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Saturniidae - **Genus:** Hyalophora ## 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 - **Scent Super-Seeker:** Cecropia Moths have feathery antennae that can detect female pheromones from miles away, helping males find a mate. - **Cocoon Creator:** The Cecropia Moth caterpillar can spin a tough, silk cocoon, providing a safe, insulated home for its transformation. - **Stored Energy Master:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-maple) (*Acer rubrum*) — Caterpillars feed on its leaves to grow large. - **Eats:** [Black Cherry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-cherry) (*Prunus serotina*) — Caterpillars also enjoy munching these leaves. ## Traits - [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. - [Symbiotic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/symbiotic): Describes a relationship between two different species where they live in close association, often benefiting one or both. - [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. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [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) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Cecropia 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 Cecropia Moth's wingspan? 130-160 mm ### How big is Cecropia Moth? 50-70 mm ### How long does Cecropia Moth live? 7-14 days ### How fast can Cecropia Moth fly? 20 km/h ### What does Cecropia Moth eat? Adults don't eat, but the big caterpillars love munching leaves from many different trees and shrubs. ### Where is Cecropia Moth usually found? Forests and woodlands ### How does Cecropia Moth hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Abbott Farm Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/abbott-farm-historic-district) — New Jersey, US · Historic District - [Brewton Historic Commercial District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brewton-historic-commercial-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Centennial Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/centennial-arboretum) — Pennsylvania, US · Botanical Garden - [Cleveland Cultural Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cleveland-cultural-gardens) — Ohio, US · Park - [Falls Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/falls-park) — South Dakota, US · Park - [Haym Salomon Memorial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/haym-salomon-memorial-park) — Pennsylvania, US · Park [View all places to see Cecropia Moth](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/cecropia-moth) ## 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: [Cecropia Moth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cecropia-moth)