Regal moth
Citheronia regalis
Moth
The regal moth, also called the royal walnut moth, is the adult form of the hickory horned devil caterpillar. The spectacular larvae feed on walnut, hickory, pecan, sweetgum, persimmon, and related eastern hardwoods before burrowing into soil to pupate. Adults are short-lived, non-feeding silk moths, so the garden value comes from keeping large native canopy trees and undisturbed soil beneath them.
Plants in the catalog
Larval host plants · 1
Royal walnut moth / hickory horned devil larvae are documented on walnut-family hardwoods including black walnut; the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center also names the regal moth as a black walnut larval host.
Range
Eastern United States, mostly from New England and the Great Lakes south through the Gulf states and west into the lower Midwest and eastern Plains.
Sources & citations
Cite this page
Use this citation for the Plotwright wildlife page. The source cards below show the upstream references behind the taxonomy, range, conservation, host, forage, and habitat claims.
Plotwright. (n.d.). Regal moth (Citheronia regalis). Retrieved 2026, June 27, from https://plotwright.com/wildlife/citheronia-regalis
Sources for wildlife facts
8 cited fact fields are backed by the source cards below.
BAMONA: Regal Moth Citheronia regalis
Species profile used for range, adult/lifecycle context, and larval host trees including walnut, hickory, pecan, sweetgum, and persimmon.
Backs 4 fields
Taxonomy
Range
Lifecycle
Host plants
BugGuide: Citheronia regalis
Identification and host-plant cross-check for the royal walnut moth / hickory horned devil.
Backs 4 fields
Taxonomy
Range
Lifecycle
Host plants