Species · GBIF taxon 1865839
Cecropia Moth
Hyalophora cecropiaAlso known as Robin Moth
Cecropia moths emerge in late spring with spectacular reddish-brown wings adorned with crescent-shaped white spots and a frosty dusting of scales. Lacking mouthparts, these giants do not feed as adults, surviving only a week or two solely to find a mate and lay eggs. Their massive, bright green caterpillars develop distinctive blue, yellow, and orange tubercles before spinning tough, silk cocoons that overwinter on tree branches.
NocturnalGiantColorful
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Maple leaves
- Cherry leaves
- Birch leaves
Predators
- Bats
- Birds
- Parasitoid Wasps
ThreatsLight pollution, pesticide use, and habitat fragmentation
HabitatsDeciduous forests, suburban woodlands, orchards, and shrublands
Life spanUp to 1 year, with adults living only 7 to 14 days
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilySaturniidae
- SpeciesHyalophora cecropia
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Attract with light: Use a UV blacklight against a white sheet at night to draw adults in.
- Check winter branches: Look for large, brown, spindle-shaped cocoons attached lengthwise to twigs.
- Handle gently: Avoid touching the wings of adults to prevent rubbing off their insulating scales.
Close Relative "Lovely luna moth at the Neosho National Fish Hatchery" by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Midwest Region is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Dave Bonta, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Lavaltrois / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Colin Croft, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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