Cocoon-dimorphism

Guides

• Hyalophora cecropia

  Cecropia moth, Cecropia silkmoth, Robin moth

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

  Saturniidaegiant-silk-mothnative-mothunivoltinecocoon-dimorphismbet-hedgingjuvenile-hormonececropinparasitoid-threatCompsilura-concinnata