Silkworm, Sphinx, and Royal Moths

Bombycoidea

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Bombycoidea: /bɔmˌbɪkoʊˈɪdiə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Spotted apatelodes (Apatelodes torrefacta) dorsal view by Scott Detwiler. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
Spotted Apatelodes - Apatelodes torrefacta, Catoctin Mountains, Maryland by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Silkworm - Flickr - treegrow by Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Apatelodes by Skye McDavid. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.
Aellopos clavipes clavipes BMNHE273145 male up by The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.
- 7665 – Olceclostera angelica – Angel Moth (48426583551) by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Summary

Bombycoidea is a superfamily of moths that includes silk moths, giant silk moths, sphinx moths, and saturniids, and is known for having some of the largest moth species in the world.

Physical Characteristics

Bombycoid larvae often exhibit horns. In the adult stage, they are typically large and include the largest moths in the world.

Identification Tips

Look for large size and distinctive horned larvae characteristic of many Bombycoidea species.

Similar Taxa

Tags

  • Lepidoptera
  • Bombycoidea
  • Moths
  • Silkworms
  • Sphinx Moths
  • Royal Moths