6 Fascinating Facts About Cecropia Moths
Updated: Dec. 02, 2021Discover everything you need to know about the cecropia moth, one of the largest and most beautiful moths in America.
Cecropia Moths Have a Very Large Wingspan
The cecropia moth is the largest species native to North America, with a wingspan of 5 to 7 inches. Check out these amazing photos of moths that are just as beautiful as butterflies.
Their Caterpillars are Big, Too
It’d be hard to miss these cecropia caterpillars out in nature. They grow up to 4.5 inches long! Take our fun caterpillar photo quiz.
The Caterpillars Have Colorful Bumps
You’ll quickly notice the bright bumps, called tubercles, on the caterpillars. These bumps come in three colors—blue, yellow and red—and can change as they grow. Psst—meet the colorful moths you can see during daytime.
Adult Moths Are Missing a Mouth
An adult cecropia moth eats zero times—it doesn’t have a functioning mouth, since its only purpose is to mate. Caterpillars, on the other hand, munch on a variety of leaves. Here’s how to plant a caterpillar cafe.
Males Rely on Smell
Males heavily rely on one sense during mating season: their sense of smell. Female cecropia moths send out pheromones for the males to follow.
Females Lay 100 Eggs
During the spring and early summer, a female cecropia moth lays about 100 eggs on hardwood tree leaves. It takes 10 to 14 days for the eggs to hatch into caterpillars after the female lays them. Can you tell the difference between monarch butterfly eggs and aphids?Â
