Cecropia moth
Hyalophora cecropia
Moth
North America's largest native moth (Saturniidae), with a wingspan of five to seven inches. Caterpillars are broad feeders on the foliage of native deciduous trees and shrubs — documented hosts include maple (Acer), cherry and plum (Prunus), birch (Betula), apple (Malus), willow (Salix), and many others across more than twenty plant families. Adults lack functional mouthparts and a digestive system, so they do not feed and live only about one to two weeks, devoting that time entirely to reproduction. The large caterpillars and pupae are also a substantial food source for breeding songbirds.
Conservation
No formal IUCN or NatureServe global listing tracked here; the species remains widespread but is reported to have declined across parts of its range. The introduced parasitoid fly Compsilura concinnata — released to control spongy moth — is cited as a particular threat to native giant silk moths, alongside light pollution that disrupts adult mating. Retaining native host trees and reducing outdoor night lighting are the standard supportive actions.
Plants in the catalog
Larval host plants · 10
The cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia) is a broad-feeding giant silk moth recorded on ash among many hardwoods; locally plausible where both occur.
Range
Hardwood forests of eastern North America east of the Rocky Mountains, extending across most Canadian provinces, with scattered occurrences farther west; one generation per year.