Cecropia moth

North America's largest moth

The cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia) is the largest native moth in North America, a member of the family Saturniidae, the giant silk moths. Females can reach a wingspan of 15–18 cm or more. Its wings, an elegant grey-brown, are crossed by reddish and white bands and adorned with bold crescent-shaped spots and dark eyespots near the tips; its body is stout and furry, with the abdomen ringed in red and white. It is a masterpiece of soft colours and geometric patterns.

Habitat and range

It lives predominantly in eastern North America, ranging west to Washington state and north into most Canadian provinces. It frequents wooded and open habitats, including urban areas with trees and shrubs.

Life cycle

The large green caterpillars, adorned with colourful tubercles, feed on the leaves of maples, cherries, birches and many other trees. The adults, like all saturniids, have no functional mouthparts: they do not feed at all and live only about a week, just long enough to breed, drawing on the reserves built up as caterpillars. They are active at night.

Did you know?

Males locate females using their large feathery antennae, which can detect pheromones over great distances. The species was first described by Linnaeus in 1758.

Conservation

It has no major species-specific IUCN assessment and is considered widespread across its range. As with many moths, its conservation depends on the health of woodlands and on reducing pesticide use and light pollution.