Hyalophora cecropia

Linnaeus, 1758

Cecropia moth, Cecropia silkmoth, Robin moth

Hyalophora cecropia, the cecropia , is North America's largest moth, with females documented at wingspans of 130-180 mm (5-7 inches). A member of the (giant moths), this produces one per year. lack functional mouthparts and survive approximately two weeks solely on stored fat reserves. The species has declined in parts of New England due to by the Compsilura concinnata, which was originally brought to North America for control.

Cecropia Moth caterpillar by Berksquat at English Wikipedia. Used under a Public domain license.

Hyalophora cecropia larva by Jacy Lucier. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

CecropiaMothLabelled by Hyalophora_cecropia_male_pupa_2,_MM.jpg: Megan McCarty
derivative work: Shyamal (talk). Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Hyalophora cecropia: //haɪəˈlɒfərə sɪˈkroʊpiə//

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

Identification

Distinguished from other North giant by its large size (wingspan 130-180 mm), brownish ground color with distinctive red and markings, and alternating red and white abdominal . Luna moth (Actias luna) has pale green wings with long tails. Imperial moth (Eacles imperialis) has and purple- patterning. Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus) has tan wings with large . Royal walnut moth (Citheronia regalis) has orange and yellow coloration with prominent green horns on .

Images

Habitat

Deciduous woodlands, suburban areas, and riparian corridors. feed on a wide variety of hardwood trees and shrubs. are attracted to lights. Power right-of-ways and other edge support . Semi-natural outdoor and indoor conditions support construction.

Distribution

Eastern and central North America, from Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and most provinces) south to Florida, and west to Washington and California. Core range spans the eastern deciduous forest .

Seasonality

(one per year). emerge from during the first two weeks of seasonally warm weather in early summer, typically May-July depending on latitude. feed through summer and autumn, spinning cocoons in late summer to overwinter as .

Host Associations

Acer spp. - larval most commonly maple trees
Prunus spp. - larval cherry trees
Betula spp. - larval birch trees
Malus spp. - larval apple
Viburnum spp. - larval observed at nursery
Various hardwood trees and shrubs - larval more than twenty documented as

Life Cycle

: mottled reddish-, laid in clusters on either side of leaves, up to 100 eggs per female. : five over approximately five weeks, with dramatic color and size changes; final instar reaches 100-110 mm. : formed within silken spun longitudinally on trees or wooden structures; stage. : emerges following spring, lives approximately two weeks without feeding. with single throughout most of range.

Behavior

males detect female from up to one mile away using large feathery ; males may up to 7 miles while searching for females. Mating typically begins early morning and lasts until evening. Females lay on leaves. Late fifth exhibit -spinning : 'baggy' and 'compact' can be produced under identical conditions, differing in time investment, placement patterning, and location within spinning arena. This represents a strategy for varying environmental conditions rather than genetic determination.

Ecological Role

function as on deciduous trees and shrubs. serve as for birds and other during their brief adult stage. The has been documented as a for and . may represent an to variable conditions.

Human Relevance

Subject of scientific research: source of the original description of by Carroll Williams in 1956, and the source of , a major in insect humoral . Popular among naturalists and photographers due to large size and striking appearance. Occasionally encountered in suburban and nursery settings. Accidental transport to Newfoundland in 2012 (single in dogwood shipment) demonstrated potential for human-mediated . declines in New England attributed to agent Compsilura concinnata, illustrating unintended consequences of .

Similar Taxa

Actias lunaAlso large with broad , but pale green with long tails and lacks red abdominal banding
Antheraea polyphemusSimilar size and , but tan with large and without red markings
Eacles imperialisLarge with and purple- , not brown with red markings
Callosamia prometheaPromethea is smaller with more subdued coloration and different shape

More Details

Cocoon dimorphism and bet-hedging

Research demonstrates that individual can spin either 'baggy' or 'compact' under identical conditions. Baggy cocoons have greater surface area, volume, and porosity with thinner , acting as heat sinks with greater moisture permeability. Compact cocoons have greater silk . This appears to be a strategy for dealing with varying environmental conditions during pupal to development, rather than genetically determined or influenced by rearing conditions.

Historical significance in endocrinology

H. cecropia was pivotal in endocrinology. Carroll Williams' 1956 description of insect was based on this , enabled by the large amount of juvenile hormone present in the . The , important in insect , was first isolated from and named after this .

Threats from introduced parasitoids

The Compsilura concinnata, to North America in 1906 for control, has caused significant declines. The fly lays on ; consume internal organs and muscles, eventually killing the . This has been implicated in reducing or extirpating cecropia populations throughout New England.