Hodges#7764
Callosamia promethea
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Superfamily: Bombycoidea
- Family: Saturniidae
- Subfamily: Saturniinae
- Tribe: Attacini
- Genus: Callosamia
- Species: promethea
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Callosamia promethea: /kæl.əˈseɪ.mi.ə prəˈmiː.θi.ə/
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Summary
Callosamia promethea, or the promethea silkmoth, is a silk moth known for its silk production and unique reproductive behaviors. It exhibits sexual dimorphism and Batesian mimicry for predator avoidance. Found in eastern U.S. forests, it plays a role in ecosystem dynamics without causing harm to its environment.
Physical Characteristics
Wingspan 75-95 mm. Male wings blackish with faint whitish PM line and pale tan terminal border, while female wings are bright reddish to dark brown with well-developed reniform spots. Male wings have eyespots, females have spots on all wings. Larvae are whitish-green with various markings.
Identification Tips
Adult males are darkly pigmented while females are brightly colored. Males resemble the pipevine swallowtail butterfly due to Batesian mimicry.
Habitat
Deciduous forests.
Distribution
New Brunswick to Florida, west to Texas, north to Manitoba.
Diet
Larvae feed on leaves of various trees including apple, ash, basswood, birch, cherry, lilac, maple, sassafras, spicebush, sweetgum, and tulip-tree. Adults do not consume food.
Life Cycle
Eggs laid at night on host plants; larvae feed and undergo several instars before pupating in trees over winter; adults emerge to mate in the summer.
Reproduction
Females lay eggs in groups of 4 to 10, and attract males using pheromones. Mating occurs from late afternoon to early evening. C. promethea is polyandrous.
Predators
Cocoon location provides protection, hard for mice and woodpeckers to access; other predators include certain flies and wasps.
Conservation Status
Not endangered, no specific management practices in place.
Ecosystem Role
Potential host plant role in forest ecosystems; caterpillars do not harm trees significantly.
Economic Impact
Does not cause noticeable damage to host trees, thus little economic impact.
Evolution
Part of the Saturniidae family with approximately 1,300 species, first described by Dru Drury in 1773.
Similar Taxa
Misconceptions
Often mistaken for harmful pests, but they do not damage forests significantly.
Tags
- Moth
- Saturniidae
- Lepidoptera
- Eastern U.S. Species