# Tulip-tree Silkmoth (*Callosamia angulifera*) The Tulip-tree Silkmoth is a beautiful moth with big, soft wings that look like a flower! They are usually found in forests and are known for their fuzzy bodies. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 10 - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Silkmoth, Tulip Moth ![Tulip-tree Silkmoth](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Callosamia_angulifera1.jpg&width=800) Photo: Dr.Thomas G. Barnes, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Callosamia_angulifera1.jpg) ## Appearance The Tulip-tree Silkmoth has striking reddish-brown wings with a distinctive white, comma-shaped mark on each wing, outlined in black. Its large wings can also feature pinkish-white bands near the edges, making it stand out from plainer moths. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Saturniidae - **Genus:** Callosamia ## Interesting facts - Adult moths don't eat at all, living only off energy stored as a caterpillar! - Cocoons often hang disguised as dead leaves or bark on tree branches! - Male moths have feathery antennae to smell females from miles away! - Their giant caterpillars can grow as long as your finger! ## Special abilities - **Chemical Communication:** Tulip-tree Silkmoth can send and receive invisible scent signals over long distances because of special antennae that help them find a mate. - **Master of Disguise (Larva):** Tulip-tree Silkmoth larvae have a vivid green color and bumpy texture that helps them perfectly blend in with tree leaves. - **Cocoon Creation:** Tulip-tree Silkmoth can spin a strong, silken cocoon because of specialized glands that help them safely transform into an adult. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 80-120 mm - **Size:** 30-50 mm - **Lifespan:** 5-10 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Caterpillars munch on tree leaves, but adult moths do not eat at all! - **Age differences:** Caterpillars are voracious leaf-eaters, but adult moths do not possess mouthparts for feeding. - **Primary Foods:** Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip Tree), Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweetgum), Sassafras albidum (Sassafras) - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Tulip Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tulip-tree) (*Liriodendron tulipifera*) — larvae feed on leaves - **Eats:** [Sweetgum](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sweetgum) (*Liquidambar styraciflua*) — larvae feed on leaves - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — birds prey on larvae and pupae - **Eaten by:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-brown-bat) (*Myotis lucifugus*) — bats hunt flying adults ## 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. - [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 These moths are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Tulip-tree 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 Tulip-tree Silkmoth's wingspan? 80-120 mm ### How big is Tulip-tree Silkmoth? 30-50 mm ### How long does Tulip-tree Silkmoth live? 5-10 days ### What does Tulip-tree Silkmoth eat? Caterpillars munch on tree leaves, but adult moths do not eat at all! ### Where is Tulip-tree Silkmoth usually found? Forests ### How does Tulip-tree Silkmoth hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Tulip-tree Silkmoth have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Burke Lake Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/burke-lake-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Camp Misty Mount Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/camp-misty-mount-historic-district) — Maryland, US · Historic District - [The State Botanical Garden of Georgia](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/the-state-botanical-garden-of-georgia) — Georgia, US · Botanical Garden - [Verbena](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/verbena) — Alabama, US · Neighborhood - [Calhoun Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/calhoun-downtown-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [DuPont State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dupont-state-forest) — North Carolina, US · Forest [View all places to see Tulip-tree Silkmoth](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/tulip-tree-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: [Tulip-tree Silkmoth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tulip-tree-silkmoth)