Ceratocampinae
Royal Moths
Genus Guides
5- Anisota(Oakworm Moths)
- Citheronia
- Dryocampa(rosy maple moths)
- Eacles(Imperial Moths)
- Syssphinx(Royal Moths)
Ceratocampinae is a of giant silk moths in the Saturniidae, commonly known as royal moths. are found exclusively in the New World. The subfamily includes large, strikingly colored with reduced or mouthparts; adults do not feed. Larvae are typically large and often bear prominent horns or , though they are harmless despite their fierce appearance. Representative include Citheronia (regal moth), Eacles (imperial moth), and Anisota.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Ceratocampinae: /ˌsɛ.rə.toʊˈkæm.pɪ.naɪ/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Distribution
New World only. occur in North America, Central America, and South America.
Life Cycle
Complete with four stages: , larva, pupa, and . Larvae burrow into soil to form earthen pupal chambers rather than spinning silken cocoons. Adults emerge with return of warm weather.
Behavior
are and attracted to light. Females release to attract males. Adults do not feed due to mouthparts.
Human Relevance
Larvae of some (e.g., Citheronia regalis, the hickory horned devil) are notable for their large size and striking appearance, generating public interest. have declined in parts of New England due to use, introduced , and artificial lighting.
Similar Taxa
- SaturniinaeBoth are within Saturniidae; Saturniinae includes the giant silk moths that spin silken cocoons for , whereas Ceratocampinae larvae typically burrow into soil to pupate.
- HemileucinaeAnother Saturniidae with New World distribution; Hemileucinae often have more reduced wing patterns and different larval .
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Wikipedia
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
- Bug of the Week
- Sphingidae | Beetles In The Bush | Page 2
- The Moth and Me | Beetles In The Bush
- Noctuidae | Beetles In The Bush | Page 3
- Scorching plains, screaming cactus | Beetles In The Bush
- Saturniidae | Beetles In The Bush | Page 2
- Hickory Horned Devil (Larva), Regal Moth or Royal Walnut Moth (Adult), Citheronia regalis (Fabricius) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Saturniidae: Ceratocampinae)
- Updated Distributional Data forCitheronia sepulcralisGrote & Robinson, 1865 (Saturniidae: Ceratocampinae), with a New Host Plant Record
- Life history of the imperial moth Eacles imperialis (Drury) (Saturniidae: Ceratocampinae) in New England, USA: distribution, decline, and nutritional ecology of a relictual islandic population