Saturniid
Guides
Agapema
Agapema is a genus of giant silk moths in the family Saturniidae, closely allied to Saturnia. The genus was established in 1894 by Neumoegen and Dyar. It contains six described species distributed in North America. The pupal stage serves as a host for parasitoid wasps.
Anisota fuscosa
Anisota fuscosa is a moth species in the family Saturniidae, described by Ferguson in 1971. It is currently recognized as a synonym of Anisota stigma. The genus Anisota includes several species of wild silk moths whose caterpillars are known as oakworms, feeding primarily on oak foliage. These caterpillars are gregarious feeders and can cause localized defoliation of host trees. Adults are typically active in spring and summer, with larvae descending to soil to pupate and overwinter.
Anisota peigleri
yellowstriped oakworm, yellow-striped oakworm moth
Anisota peigleri is a saturniid moth native to the southeastern United States, described by Jules C. E. Riotte in 1975. Previously misidentified as Anisota senatoria, this species is distinguished by its diurnal adult activity and specific geographic range. The larvae are specialized oak feeders that develop in gregarious clusters, causing noticeable but generally non-lethal defoliation of host trees. The species completes one generation annually, with adults active from mid-July through late August.
Anisota virginiensis virginiensis
Pink-striped Oakworm
A large, strikingly colored caterpillar found feeding on oak foliage in eastern North America. The larva is black with prominent pink or orange longitudinal stripes and bears a pair of black horn-like projections on the thorax. Adults are furry, tan to reddish-brown moths with reduced mouthparts that do not feed. The subspecies is distinguished from nominate A. virginiensis by geographic range and subtle phenotypic differences.
Automeris cecrops
Cecrops Eyed Silkmoth
Automeris cecrops is a saturniid moth distributed across Central America and North America. Adults possess large eyespots on the hindwings used for predator defense. Caterpillars bear urticating spines that deliver painful stings when handled. The species is one of three recognized subspecies within the Automeris cecrops complex.
Automeris io neomexicana
Io moth
Automeris io neomexicana is a subspecies of the Io moth, a large saturniid moth native to North America. The caterpillars possess urticating spines capable of delivering painful stings. Adults display prominent eyespots on the hindwings used to startle predators. This western subspecies occurs in the Great Plains and southwestern regions of the United States and Canada.
Callosamia securifera
Sweetbay Silkmoth
Callosamia securifera, commonly known as the Sweetbay Silkmoth, is a saturniid moth native to southeastern North America. The species was named after its obligate host plant, sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana). Like other members of the genus Callosamia, larvae are highly specialized feeders, utilizing only a single tree species for development. Adults are large, showy moths with reduced mouthparts and do not feed as adults.
Hemileuca eglanterina
Sheep Moth, Common Sheep Moth
Hemileuca eglanterina, commonly known as the sheep moth or common sheep moth, is a day-flying saturniid moth native to western North America. The species exhibits remarkable geographic variation in coloration, ranging from nearly black to pink/yellow to the typical orange with black markings. Adults are short-lived and lack functional mouthparts, relying entirely on fat reserves accumulated during the larval stage. The species has been documented in coevolutionary dynamics with Argiope spiders, which appear to lure male moths using chemical mimicry of female moth sex pheromones.
Hemileuca lucina
New England buck moth
Hemileuca lucina, the New England buck moth, is a day-flying saturniid moth endemic to the New England region of the United States. The species is univoltine with adults emerging in September for a flight season lasting approximately two weeks. Larvae possess urticating spines that can cause painful dermatitis and exhibit a developmental shift from gregarious defensive behavior in early instars to solitary escape behavior in late instars. The species was historically confused with its sister species Hemileuca maia until subtle differences in wing translucence and band width were recognized.
Hemileuca tricolor
tricolor buckmoth
Hemileuca tricolor, the tricolor buckmoth, is a species of giant silkworm moth in the family Saturniidae. It is native to the Sonoran Desert region of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other members of the genus Hemileuca, it is a day-flying moth that is often mistaken for a butterfly due to its bright coloration. The species was first described by Packard in 1872 under the basionym Euleucophaeus tricolor.
Hyalophora euryalus
Ceanothus silkmoth, Ceanothus silk moth
Hyalophora euryalus, the ceanothus silkmoth, is a large saturniid moth native to western North America. Adults lack functional mouthparts and do not feed, living solely to reproduce. The species is notable for its broad host plant range spanning multiple plant families. Larvae possess urticating hairs and scoli that can cause skin irritation. The moth has a single generation per year, with adults active from January through July depending on latitude and elevation.
Syssphinx hubbardi
Hubbard's Silk Moth, Hubbard's Silkmoth
Syssphinx hubbardi is a medium-sized giant silk moth in the family Saturniidae, with a wingspan of 56–76 mm. Adults are predominantly gray with bright pink hindwings that are exposed when the moth is startled. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico, with one generation per year in most of its range, though Texas populations may produce multiple generations. Adults are active from June through September, with peak activity in July and August.