Callosamia angulifera

Distinguished from congeneric species primarily by host plant association with Liriodendron tulipifera. Callosamia promethea utilizes multiple host plants including Syringa, Prunus, and Sassafras. Callosamia securifera (sweetbay silkmoth) is restricted to Magnolia virginiana. C. angulifera is entirely nocturnal, whereas C. carolina (now C. securifera) is diurnal with mating activity confined to 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., providing reproductive isolation. Larvae of C. angulifera at first instar are phenotypically indistinguishable from C. promethea. Cocoon structure differs from C. promethea: C. angulifera gathers several leaves as a cover and lacks the stalk-sheathing behavior characteristic of C. promethea, resulting in cocoons that commonly fall to ground with shed leaves.

Wingspan 80–110 mm. Large-bodied silkmoth with characteristic saturniid morphology. Sexual dimorphism present; males have more feathery antennae than females. Coloration and detailed wing patterning not explicitly described in available sources.

Associated with forests and woodlands containing tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera), the exclusive larval host plant.

Eastern North America: Massachusetts east through central New York, southern Ontario, and southern Michigan to central Illinois, south to the Florida panhandle and Mississippi.

One generation annually in northern range (adults June–August); two generations in southern range (adults March–April and August).

Larvae feed exclusively on leaves of Liriodendron tulipifera (tulip tree). Adults do not feed.

• Liriodendron tulipifera - obligate larval hostexclusive food plant for larvae; no alternative hosts documented

Complete metamorphosis with one generation per year in northern populations, two generations per year in southern populations. Cocoon spun among gathered leaves, lacking attachment to parent tree; commonly falls to ground when leaves shed. Overwintering stage not explicitly documented in sources but inferred as pupa within cocoon based on typical saturniid pattern.

Nocturnal activity pattern; mating and adult flight occur at night. Larval food selection behavior is genetically determined and species-specific. Cocoon-spinning behavior involves gathering multiple leaves rather than rolling a single leaf tube; lacks stalk-sheathing behavior seen in C. promethea.

Specialist herbivore on tulip tree. Role in ecosystem not extensively documented; likely serves as prey for birds, small mammals, and parasitoids. Adult moths may contribute to nutrient cycling through non-feeding adult stage.

Subject of entomological study due to host specificity and hybridization potential with congeneric species. Occasionally encountered by naturalists and moth enthusiasts. Not documented as agricultural pest or economically significant species.

• Callosamia prometheaOverlapping range and morphological similarity; distinguished by polyphagous larval diet (Syringa, Prunus, Sassafras), diurnal mating activity in some populations, and cocoon attached to parent tree via stalk-sheathing behavior
• Callosamia securiferaFormerly C. carolina; distinguished by diurnal mating activity (10 a.m.–3 p.m.), exclusive host association with Magnolia virginiana, and double-brooded annual cycle in its native range

• saturniidae
• silkmoth
• specialist herbivore
• nocturnal
• tulip tree
• host-specific
• eastern north america

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Sphingidae | Beetles In The Bush | Page 2
• The Moth and Me | Beetles In The Bush
• Saturniidae | Beetles In The Bush | Page 2
• Noctuidae | Beetles In The Bush | Page 3
• Megacyllene comanchei revisited | Beetles In The Bush
• Note On the Inheritance of Behavior Patterns for Food Selection and Cocoon Spinning in F 1 Hybrids of Callosamia Promethea x c. Angulifera
• Mating Behavior and Life Habits of the Sweet-Bay Silk Moth ( Callosamia carolina )