Cercropia Moth – Hyalophora cecropia

Cercropia Moth   Scientific Name: Hyalophora cecropia Common Name:  Cercropia moth Appearance:  Cercropia moth is a member of the giant silk moths, with a wingspan of approximately 160 mm. The wings are brown with a reddish base and red and white spots all over. It has a banded abdomen with red and white bands throughout. It also features white hairy scales, giving it a feathery appearance. Host Plants or Food: Cercropia moth larva feeds on various large trees, especially maple trees. However, it also feeds on apple, cherry, birch, plum, and willow trees. Territory: Throughout North America, Western USA Mode of Damage:  They are leaf chewers that damage the trees by feeding on their foliage, leaving holes in the leaves behind. Habits and Life History: Cercropia moths are famous for their large size and exotic appearance. They are commonly found in hardwood forests and areas with high tree densities. Adult moths are attracted to light sources, due to which they can be found near lampposts. Since the adults do not have mouthparts and digestive parts, they cannot feed and die after two weeks. The female lays 100 large eggs on the leaves, giving rise to a larva with five instars. It feeds on the leaves, which develop into a pupa. The larva pupates in a silk cocoon on a branch or a stem, from which the adults emerge in the summer. They produce only one generation per year.