# Promethea Silkmoth (*Callosamia promethea*) The Promethea Silkmoth is a beautiful insect with big, colorful wings. It starts its life as a caterpillar and transforms into a moth, showing off its amazing patterns! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 11 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Promethea Silkmoth](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Callosamia_promethea_0385.jpg&width=800) Photo: Jomegat, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Callosamia_promethea_0385.jpg) ## Appearance The Promethea Silkmoth is a large moth with distinct dark brown to black wings, bordered by creamy tan or yellowish bands. Females tend to be more reddish-brown, while males are darker, often resembling a Pipevine Swallowtail. Each wing features a small, white crescent spot and faint eye-like patterns. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Saturniidae - **Genus:** Callosamia ## Interesting facts - A Promethea Silkmoth cocoon hangs like a dead leaf, expertly camouflaged to hide the developing pupa! - Its large, green caterpillar has orange and black spines, looking very different from the adult moth! - Male moths fly during the day to find mates, while females are usually active after sunset! - The Promethea Silkmoth is named after Prometheus from Greek myth, who stole fire for humanity! ## Special abilities - **Master of Disguise:** Promethea Silkmoth caterpillars can change color to blend perfectly with twigs and leaves, helping them hide from hungry birds. - **Pheromone Power:** Female Promethea Silkmoths release special scents called pheromones that attract males from far away in the dark. - **Supercharged Storage:** Adult Promethea Silkmoths don't eat; they live off the stored energy from their caterpillar days, allowing them to focus on finding a mate. - **Mimicry Shield:** Male Promethea Silkmoths can mimic the toxic Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly, making predators think twice before trying to eat them. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 75-100 mm - **Size:** 30-40 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults don't eat, but their hungry caterpillars munch on leaves from many different trees. - **Age differences:** Adult moths do not feed, relying on energy stored from their caterpillar stage to reproduce. - **Primary Foods:** Sassafras leaves, Tulip tree leaves, Sweetgum leaves, Wild cherry leaves, Ash leaves, Lilac leaves ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** [Sassafras](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sassafras) (*Sassafras albidum*) — Caterpillars eat its leaves. - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Birds eat the caterpillars and pupae. - **Eaten by:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-brown-bat) (*Myotis lucifugus*) — Bats hunt adult moths at night. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [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. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. - [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. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Don't touch moths; they are delicate and can be easily hurt. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Promethea Silkmoth? 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 Promethea Silkmoth's wingspan? 75-100 mm ### How big is Promethea Silkmoth? 30-40 mm ### How long does Promethea Silkmoth live? 7-14 days ### How fast can Promethea Silkmoth fly? 20 km/h ### What does Promethea Silkmoth eat? Adults don't eat, but their hungry caterpillars munch on leaves from many different trees. ### Where is Promethea Silkmoth usually found? Forests ### How many legs does Promethea Silkmoth have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Advance Mills](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/advance-mills) — Virginia, US · Neighborhood - [Chesham](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chesham) — New Hampshire, US · Historic District - [Geauga Park District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/geauga-park-district) — Ohio, US · Nature Reserve - [Rock House Reservation](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rock-house-reservation) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [Shepherdstown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shepherdstown-historic-district) — West Virginia, US · Historic District - [Avery Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/avery-street-historic-district) — West Virginia, US · Historic District [View all places to see Promethea Silkmoth](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/promethea-silkmoth) ## 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: [Promethea Silkmoth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/promethea-silkmoth)