North America's largest native moth — wingspan up to 6 inches. Stunning crimson-red bodies with white eyespots on broad brown wings. Adults have no functional mouths and live only a few days to mate.

Also called: Giant Silk Moth

Native status: Native to eastern North America

§ Quick facts

SizeWingspan 13–18 cm (5.1–7.1 in) — largest moth in North America
Weight~1 g
LifespanAdults 7–14 days; full cycle ~1 year
OrderLepidoptera
FamilySaturniidae

§ Encyclopedia

Hyalophora cecropia, the cecropia moth, is North America's largest native moth. It is a member of the family Saturniidae, or giant silk moths. Females have been documented with a wingspan of five to seven inches or more. These moths can be found predominantly across eastern North America, with occurrences as far west as Washington and north into the majority of Canadian provinces. Cecropia moth larvae are most commonly found on maple trees, but they have also been found on cherry and birch trees, among many others. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae.

Source: Wikipedia — Hyalophora cecropia Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Massive moth — body deep red, wings reddish-brown with crescent white eyespots and red-and-tan banding.

Similar species. Polyphemus Moth (tan, smaller). Promethea Moth (smaller, no white eyespots).

Voice. Silent flight; caterpillars click mandibles when disturbed.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Adults: do not eat. Caterpillars: maple, birch, willow, cherry, oak, hawthorn.

Behavior. Adults emerge in early summer, mate, lay eggs, and die. Pheromone-driven mating — males detect females from miles away with feathered antennae.

§ Range

Eastern North America

§ Habitat

Deciduous forests, suburban yards with diverse trees

§ Threats

Forest loss, light pollution disrupting mate-finding, parasitoid flies introduced for gypsy moth control.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the cecropia moth is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Reduce outdoor lighting. Maintain native trees. Support efforts to control invasive parasitoids.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Butterflies and Moths of North America
  • Xerces Society
  • BugGuide
  • iNaturalist