11/13/2023 0 Comments Rosy maple moth gif![]() ![]() Except for the eye-spots, it is less distinctly patterned than either the cecropia or promethea. This light brown or fawn colored moth has a wing span of 3.5 to 5.5 inches. Inside the cocoon the caterpillar changes to a pupa, the life stage in which it spends the winter. The cocoon is attached along its full length to a twig on the host tree. In early fall the mature caterpillar spines a spindle-shaped cocoon which is about three inches long. The cecropia caterpillars feed mainly on cherry, plum, apple, elderberry, box elder, maple, birch and willow, but will also feed on linden, elm, sassafras and lilac. The first three pairs of tubercles are more conspicuous and are in the form of yellow balls with black spines. They are bluish green, and along the back there is a pair of yellow projections on each body segment. The caterpillars take most of the summer to mature and are up to four inches long when fully developed. They are often found at lighted windows at night. The moths make their seasonal appearance in early summer and lay their eggs. There is a dark eye spot and a tinge of lavender near the tip of the front wing. Its overall color is various shades of brown, but there is a conspicuous white mark near the center of each wing. This is the largest of the North American moths with a wing spread of five to seven inches. For these caterpillars, as well as large caterpillars out of reach in a tree, insecticide sprays may be needed to prevent further tree damage. Some of the smaller species of royal moths caterpillars feed in colonies and do more damage than the less numerous larger types of caterpillars. Hand picking these caterpillars is sufficient control, but wear gloves if it is an io. ![]() One or two of the larger types of caterpillars can cause severe defoliation. Most of the saturniid caterpillar species feed on a wide variety of trees and shrubs, but have a preference for certain plants. However, the spines on the io moth caterpillar are true defensive weapons and can produce a painful sting to anyone who carelessly handles them. For the most part, this horrendous appearance is all show as far as harm to humans is concerned. Some are ornamented with spines and barbed horns which makes them seem likely candidates for roles in horror movies. The caterpillar stages of these moths are also large and spectacular and are observed more often than the moths. Also because the moths are rarely abundant, they are hardly ever taken for granted when one announces its presence by fluttering against a window at night. Because of their large size and sometimes striking colors and shapes, they attract a lot of attention when they are encountered, even among people who have no special interest in entomology. Most members of this faintly are large moths, the cecropia being the largest moth in North America. The royal or regal moths and the giant silk moths belong to the family Saturniidae. University of Kentucky College of Agriculture ENTFACT-701: Giant Silkworm Moths | Download PDF by Ric Bessin, Extension Entomologist ![]()
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