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Saturniidae (Giant Silkmoths)•Egg to adult: 66 days

Cecropia Silkmoth

Hyalophora cecropia

Quick Rearing Snapshot & Biology Overview

Rearing and biology notes for Cecropia Silkmoth

Instant Answers
Host Plants

Black Cherry (Prunus serotina), Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum), Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)

Life Cycle Time

~66 Days total (Egg → Butterfly)

Winter Behavior

Pupal Diapause (Does Not Migrate)

Pupation Anchor

Ground Leaf Litter

Thermal Degree-Day Hatch SimulatorInteractive

Slide ambient temperature to see how heat accelerates metamorphosis for Cecropia Silkmoth

75°F / 24°C
65°F (Cool / Slow)75°F (Optimal Room Temp)85°F (Warm / Fast)
Egg Incubation~10 Days
Larval Instars~35 Days
Chrysalis / Pupa~21 Days
Total Metamorphosis~66 Days

*Calculated via standard insect thermal summation models (base threshold 50°F / 10°C).

PLATE XVI • FIG. 16A•Taxonomic Plate • ADULT

Cecropia Silkmoth

Hyalophora cecropia (Linnaeus, 1758) — Saturniidae • Saturniinae

5 cm Scale
•
White Crescent Lunules
•
Apical Snake-Head Eyespot
•
Quadripectinate Antennae
Key Diagnostic Field Identifiers:
  • North America’s largest native moth with wingspans stretching up to 7 inches
  • Rich russet-red, mahogany-brown, and charcoal wings frosted with white scales
  • Four bold white crescent-shaped discal lunules bordered in bright red and black
  • Broad reddish-white postmedial line bordered with pink and black wavy chevrons
  • Large, plush reddish-brown thorax and ringed abdomen with white transverse stripes
:10 Days
:35 Days
:21 Days
:~66 Days

Larval Host Flora:

Silo 02 Botany

Only supply fresh, pesticide-free foliage from these verified native botanical species:

  • •Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)
  • •Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)
  • •Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
  • •Boxelder (Acer negundo)
  • •Apple (Malus)
  • •Willows (Salix spp.)
  • •Birch (Betula)

Key Husbandry Tips

Silo 04 Husbandry
  • •The 5th instar caterpillar is a stunning biological marvel: 4 inches long, sea-green, adorned with glowing red, yellow, and cobalt-blue knobbed tubercles.
  • •Caterpillars consume a tremendous volume of foliage during their final week — plan ahead with access to abundant maple, cherry, or birch trees.
  • •Spins a huge, tough, spindle-shaped double-walled brown silk cocoon (up to 3 inches long) firmly attached longitudinally along tree branches.

Frequently Asked Questions (Cecropia Silkmoth)

Direct answers to the most common rearing, diet, and metamorphosis questions

Q&A Hub
Metamorphosis typically takes ~66 days from oviposition to adult eclosion at 75°F (24°C).

Master Research Guides for Cecropia Silkmoth

Rearing protocols, lifecycle stages, and field husbandry

Field Notes
Husbandry & Pathology

The Grand Butterfly Release: Optimal Weather Windows, Thoracic Thermoregulation & Safe Transit Protocols

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Husbandry & Pathology

The Indoor Butterfly Nectar Bar: Safe DIY Nectar Recipes, Non-Drowning Stations & The Toothpick Hand-Feeding Protocol

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Husbandry & Pathology

The "Red Blood" Panic & Mass Eclosion Physics: Butterfly Meconium vs. Crippled Wing Rescue Protocols

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Region: Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Great Lakes & Canada