Ceratocampinae
Guides
Anisota manitobensis
Manitoba Oakworm Moth
Anisota manitobensis, the Manitoba oakworm moth, is a species of royal moth in the family Saturniidae. It is found in North America, primarily in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Early instar caterpillars are highly gregarious, feeding in groups on oak leaves.
Anisota virginiensis discolor
pink-striped oakworm
Anisota virginiensis discolor is a subspecies of the pink-striped oakworm, a wild silk moth in the family Saturniidae. The larvae are gregarious feeders on oak foliage, capable of causing localized heavy defoliation. Caterpillars are visually distinctive with pink or orange longitudinal stripes and fleshy horns behind the head. The subspecies is part of a complex of oak-feeding Anisota species that periodically reach outbreak levels, though damage is typically aesthetic rather than causing long-term tree harm.
Citheronia
Citheronia is a genus of giant silk moths (Saturniidae) established by Jacob Hübner in 1819. The genus comprises approximately 20 species distributed across the Americas, from the United States through Mexico, Central America, and into South America as far as Argentina. The genus is notable for its large, striking caterpillars—such as the famous "hickory horned devil" of C. regalis—which bear prominent horn-like projections and undergo dramatic morphological changes between instars. Adults are characterized by reduced or non-functional mouthparts and short adult lifespans devoted primarily to reproduction.
Citheronia sepulcralis
pine-devil moth
Citheronia sepulcralis, commonly known as the pine-devil moth, is a giant silk moth in the family Saturniidae. Adults are blackish-brown in color and lack functional mouthparts. The species occurs across the eastern and southeastern United States, with larvae feeding exclusively on pine species. Multiple broods occur in southern regions, while northern populations are univoltine.
Citheronia splendens
Splendid Royal Moth
Citheronia splendens, the splendid royal moth, is a large saturniid moth found from southern Arizona southward into central and southeastern Mexico. Adults have a wingspan of 106–150 mm and are active from July to August. The species was first described by Herbert Druce in 1886 and is recognized by three described subspecies.
Citheronia splendens sinaloensis
Citheronia splendens sinaloensis is a subspecies of giant silkmoth in the family Saturniidae, described by Hoffmann in 1942. It belongs to a genus whose larvae are commonly known as "hickory horned devils" due to their large size and prominent horn-like tubercles. The subspecies epithet "sinaloensis" indicates a type locality in Sinaloa, Mexico, distinguishing it from the nominate subspecies C. splendens splendens found in Arizona. Like other members of the genus, it undergoes complete metamorphosis with dramatically different appearances between early and late larval instars.
Dryocampa rubicunda
rosy maple moth
Dryocampa rubicunda, commonly known as the rosy maple moth, is a small saturniid moth native to eastern North America. Adults are distinguished by their striking pink and yellow coloration, which varies from cream or white to bright pink or yellow. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism: males have narrower, less rounded wings and bipectinate antennae for detecting female pheromones, while females have broader wings and simple antennae. Larvae, known as greenstriped mapleworms, feed on maple leaves and can cause temporary defoliation in outbreak years.
Syssphinx bicolor
honey locust moth
Syssphinx bicolor, commonly known as the honey locust moth, is a North American saturniid moth with variable wing coloration ranging from grayish to yellow, orange, or dark reddish brown. The species exhibits three annual broods with adults of different color morphs appearing sequentially—grayish first, then yellow to orange-brown, and finally darker with more spotting. Larvae feed on honey locust and Kentucky coffee tree, with distinctive color changes between gregarious young stages and solitary older instars.
Syssphinx blanchardi
Syssphinx blanchardi is a species of giant silk moth in the family Saturniidae, described by Ferguson in 1971. The species belongs to a genus of smaller saturniids found in southwestern North America and Mexico. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light sources. Larvae feed on woody leguminous plants and pupate underground. The species is part of a taxonomically complex group that has historically been placed in the genus Sphingicampa.