Silkmoths
Guides
Bombycoidea
Hawk, Sphinx, Silk, Emperor, and Allied Moths
Bombycoidea is a superfamily of large-bodied moths comprising 10 families, including the silk moths (Bombycidae), giant silk moths (Saturniidae), sphinx or hawk moths (Sphingidae), and emperor moths (Saturniidae). Members are among the largest moths in the world, with adults typically possessing robust bodies and broad wings. Larvae frequently exhibit distinctive morphological features such as thoracic horns or tubercles. The superfamily is distinguished from close relatives in Lasiocampoidea by a combination of adult and larval characteristics.
Callosamia
promethea moths, silkmoths
Callosamia is a genus of large silkmoths in the family Saturniidae, first described by Alpheus Spring Packard in 1864. The genus contains three North American species: C. promethea, C. angulifera, and C. securifera. These moths are notable for their striking appearance, strong host plant associations with woody plants, and distinct behavioral differences including diurnal versus nocturnal mating activity that contributes to reproductive isolation between sibling species.