Replant the potted host plant in your garden to attract wild moths. Although these moths are common throughout North America, you don't often see them because they fly only at night. *The largest moth in Illinois, the cecropia, is also the largest moth in North America. How Big is a Cecropia Moth? Hello, I live in the thumb area of Michigan, and two days ago had a female Cecropia Moth emerge from a cocoon we had found in our backyard. With a wingspan of 5 to 6 inches, the cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia) is the largest North American moth. It has a wingspread of five to six inches. The adults are present in decent numbers, but we never see them since moths fly at night. Cecropia moths are often referred to as silkworm moths. Northern species tend to have a single brood per year, while their Southern brethren may have two or three. (The first 3 species are the easiest to rear.) I have mature black walnut, hickory, sweet gum, sugar maple, oak, and persimmon trees. Cecropia Moth. When this stunning female Cecropia moth in my yard finally spread her wings while mating (they usually sit with their wings folded together over the back), I really wanted to measure her to see how big her wingspan was. I read about trying to attract a mate for her, so I put her out in a crude wire cage (chicken wire and bird netting) at night on our large deck. I read about trying to attract a mate for her, so I put her out in a crude wire cage (chicken wire and bird netting) at night on our large deck. *Female moths release chemicals into the air to attract males. These moths, such as the Luna, Tulip-tree, Cecropia, or Polyphemus, live for only a week or two — just long enough to attract or search out mates and for females to lay eggs. Cecropia They are attracted to electric lights and lighted windows. It is a marvel that something so beautiful, so close by, goes unseen. As we choose which trees to plant, it’s wonderful to choose trees that are host plants for butterflies and moths. It is a member of the family Saturniidae. The moth has a wingspread of 5 to 6 inches and is the largest of the silkworm moths in this country. Bolas spiders mimic the pheromone that the Cecropia moths produce, and use it as a trap to attract male moths, which eventually become the spiders’ food. Since the life of a Giant Silk Moth occurs mostly in high treetops, my method for … Fun Fact. Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora cecropia) and its caterpillar often attract attention during the summer months because of their large size. With reduced mouthparts, these moths are unable to eat. Moth Night Life. Cecropia, Promethea, Polyphemus and Luna moths are members of the Giant Silk Moth family, Saturnidae, and some are giants indeed, with wingspreads measuring 4” to 6”. How Big is a Cecropia Moth? It is easily recognized by its thin, white-ringed trunk and umbrella-like arrangement of large leaves at the branch tips. Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora cecropia) and its caterpillar often attract attention during the summer months because of their large size. An adult Cecropia Moth, resting on the hand of a friend of mine, inside my… The moth has a wingspread of 5 to 6 inches and is the largest of the silkworm moths in this country. Here’s a bit on these curious insects. Judging by it's size (only about 1 1/2 inches/4cm) and markings, I'd guess that this Cecropia Moth caterpillar (Hyalophora cecropia) is in its third instar. Females attract males by releasing pheromones (chemical substances whose odors attract males of the species). Almost all species are large; the cecropia is the largest moth in North America.