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Cecropia Moth

Hyalophora cecropia

Description:

The largest silk moth in North America. Female - Wingspan up to 16 cm. This one was about 6 inches across 15. 4 cm. Prefers to lay eggs on Maple Trees, Wild Cherry and Birch among others. No mouth parts. Lives only 3-10 days.

Habitat:

Found in a bushes near the edge of the lawn/woodlands in the Poconos

Notes:

I was surprised it climbed on my hand and got really attached. It thought I was its MOTH-ER! HA! (I found the almost 4 inch cocoon in some bushes and have been waiting all winter to see what was inside.)

No species ID suggestions

70 Comments (1–25)

Carol, was the wing totally dried while you were holding it??

injica
injica a month ago

Oh you are so lucky :) what a tender moth, looks gorgeous!

Adrián Encontrado
Adrián Encontrado a month ago

wow! it's like a plushie!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DBO
DBO 6 months ago

great spotting

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 7 months ago

Yuko you are not only one started loving all kind of organisms after joining Project Noah.... Earlier I was spotting only flowers....

YukoChartraw
YukoChartraw 7 months ago

What a beautiful, cute creature! Before joining the PN, I was so scared of moths, but now, I can't wait to spot them myself and put them on my finger/hand! Where can I usually find them?

Cammie
Cammie 8 months ago

I remember when you first posted this! Absolutely amazing, not only to find it, but to get to watch it unfurl into the world. =)

Uday
Uday 8 months ago
Uday
Uday 8 months ago

wow!
what a colourful lovely moth

8BitFinch
8BitFinch 8 months ago

Great photos! I've always wanted to see one of these moths but unfortunately they aren't in my neck of the woods. It's gorgeous!

CarolSnowMilne
CarolSnowMilne 8 months ago

Thanks so much Dragoon. I put this moth and some of my other favorites to your new Pennsylvania mission.

Dragoon
Dragoon 9 months ago

Incredible!

I couldn't believe that such a moth lives in my homestate, such a beautiful, yet rare thing to find.

Consider adding it to my mission "Creatures of Pennsylvania"? I hate to sound like a pest though, haha.
http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/1235...

AliA
AliA 9 months ago

Great pics and great video - congrats!

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 10 months ago

Since my 13 months online observation Carol is greatest "Mother" on Project Noah. I wish she will continue her duty as a mother and Mother....!!

CarolSnowMilne
CarolSnowMilne 10 months ago

Thanks so so much!

KarenL
KarenL 10 months ago

Congratulations Carol, you are the featured "moth-er" in the Project Noah blog today! http://blog.projectnoah.org/

navarro.ricardo57
navarro.ricardo57 11 months ago

MUY BUENA TU PAGINA AMIGA CAROL TE FELICITO CARIÑOS DESDE CHILE.OK

Ashish Nimkar
Ashish Nimkar 11 months ago

Congrats Carol... Your hard work and dedication to organism rewarded this fantastic spotting from you and right response to it from Project Noah and Huffingtonpost.

NeilDazet
NeilDazet 11 months ago

How Cool! This spotting was featured today on Huffington Post. Way to go Carol!!! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carol-hart...

CarolSnowMilne
CarolSnowMilne 11 months ago

Thank you so much again! I am waiting still for the last Cecropia Moth to emerge from its cocoon found naturally in the bushes. No activity still.

Small Wonders
Small Wonders 11 months ago

Congratulations sweet Carol :)

Gerardo Aizpuru
Gerardo Aizpuru 11 months ago

Congratulations Carol wonderful spotting and shots:):)
Video is very cool.

Maria dB
Maria dB 11 months ago

Congratulations, Carol!

BrandonBlount
BrandonBlount 11 months ago

Congratulations Carol!!! This is well deserving of SOTD!!!!

Pennsylvania, USA

Lat: 40.87, Long: -75.61

Spotted on May 16, 2012
Submitted on May 17, 2012

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