×
BugFinder Insects by State Spiders Butterflies & Moths Bees, Ants, & Wasps Beetles All Bugs Videos (YouTube)

Tulip-tree Silkmoth (Callosamia angulifera)


Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Tulip-tree Silkmoth


Loading SVG image placeholder
1/6
Image Credit: Alex -icycatelf- Bowen
Full-sized image of the Tulip-Tree-Silkmoth Thumbnail image of the Tulip-Tree-Silkmoth
2/6
Image Credit: Darrel L., taken in Williamsburg, VA
Full-sized image #2 of the Tulip-Tree-Silkmoth Thumbnail image #2 of the Tulip-Tree-Silkmoth
3/6
Image Credit: Bob A, taken in the Catoctin Mountains in Sabillasville, MD
Full-sized image #3 of the Tulip-Tree-Silkmoth Thumbnail image #3 of the Tulip-Tree-Silkmoth
4/6
Image Credit: Alex -icycatelf- Bowen
Full-sized image #4 of the Tulip-Tree-Silkmoth Thumbnail image #4 of the Tulip-Tree-Silkmoth
5/6
Image Credit: Kenneth O., taken in Helen, GA
Full-sized image #5 of the Tulip-Tree-Silkmoth Thumbnail image #5 of the Tulip-Tree-Silkmoth
6/6
Image Credit: Dennis E. from Bloomington, IN
Full-sized image #6 of the Tulip-Tree-Silkmoth Thumbnail image #6 of the Tulip-Tree-Silkmoth

Richly brown and decorative, the Tulip-tree Silkmoth impresses with its generous size, comfortably filling up the palm of a hand.



Updated: 01/17/2022; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org
Tulip-tree Silkmoths are members of a family known for its striking good looks as well as mammoth size. The green Luna Moth, Cecropia Moth, and Promethea Moth are all relatives. The similarity between the Promethea Moth and the Tulip-tree is remarkable. They look so alike, it is possible that the ones pictured are actually the other. They are both in the same genus, and both show a slight color difference between the sexes (dimorphism).

The Tulip-tree Silkmoth male is dark brown and the female is more orange. Both have a black eyespot in the outer corner of each forewing. All four wings have an ivory or white "T"-shaped mark. The wings are rounded or curved and have a dark brown scalloped line on their ivory-bottomed edges. The inner parts of the wings are all darker in color than the outer parts. The boundary between these sections is clearly outlined in ivory for males and in black for females with a golden gradient. The abdomen is short, hairy, and plump. The antennae are comb-like and wide in the middle, tapering at the tips.

Larvae feed on the leaves of black cherry, sassafras, and tulip trees. The chubby green caterpillar has four red spurs by the head and one yellow spur by the rear. A pale yellow line near the feet runs the length of each side of the body. Adult moths do not eat and focus their time and energy on reproducing. They are attracted to lights at night. Brown and ivory coloring on this moth makes it almost impossible to see when it is resting on tree bark. Its wings remain completely flat so it has a low profile. The zigzag patterns and scalloped edges blend in with the variations on a trunk. Though fond of tulip trees, this species' caterpillar also feeds on the leaves of yellow poplar, paw-paw, red bay, and sassafras trees. Adults are active from mid-spring through the summer and into early autumn in some regions. They are attracted to lights.

The caterpillar is pale brown on top and whitish on bottom. Dark lines and spots decorate its dorsal side (back). Thin yellow rings around segments are sometimes visible. The head color ranges from bright yellow to muted brown with speckles. In the mid 1930's, the Tulip-Tree Beauty caterpillar ate the leaves off a majority of the sassafras trees growing in Connecticut. Damage on that scale has not been seen in these days.©InsectIdentification.org


Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.InsectIdentification.org. It is the product of hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, educators, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at InsectIdentification AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.


General Characteristics


Capability, Shape, Texture/Pattern, Benefits, Dangers
Flying insect icon
Patterned insect icon
Pest insect icon
Rounded insect body icon


Taxonomic Hierarchy


Species Breakdown
Kingdom: Animalia
  Phylum: Arthropoda
    Class: Insecta
      Order: Lepidoptera
        Family: Saturniidae
View More
          Genus: Callosamia
View More
            Species: angulifera

Identifying Information


Size, Colors, Features
Scientific Name: Callosamia angulifera
Other Name(s): Giant Silkmoth
Category: Butterfly or Moth
Size (Adult; Length): 80mm to 110mm (3.14" to 4.33")
Colorwheel Graphic Colors: brown; ivory; black; orange; gold
Descriptors: V-shaped dash; black eyespot; curved wings; rounded wings; huge; large; flying; tree pest


Relative Size Comparison


Typical Size Between 80mm (3.1in) and 110mm (4.3in)
Lo: 80mm
Md: 95mm
Hi: 110mm

Territorial Map*


U.S., Canada, and Mexico
State of Alabama graphic
State of Arizona graphic
State of Arkansas graphic
State of California graphic
State of Colorado graphic
State of Delware graphic
State of Florida graphic
State of Georgia graphic
State of Idaho graphic
State of Illinois graphic
State of Indiana graphic
State of Iowa graphic
State of Kansas graphic
State of Kentucky graphic
State of Louisiana graphic
State of Maine graphic
State of Maryland graphic
State of Michigan graphic
State of Minnesota graphic
State of Mississippi graphic
State of Missouri graphic
State of Montana graphic
State of Nebraska graphic
State of Nevada graphic
State of New England graphic
State of New Jersey graphic
State of New Mexico graphic
State of New York graphic
State of North Carolina graphic
State of North Dakota graphic
State of Ohio graphic
State of Oklahoma graphic
State of Oregon graphic
State of Pennsylvania graphic
State of South Carolina graphic
State of South Dakota graphic
State of Tennessee graphic
State of Texas graphic
State of Utah graphic
State of Virginia graphic
State of Washington graphic
State of West Virginia graphic
State of Wisconsin graphic
State of Wyoming graphic
Canadian territory of Alberta graphic
Canadian territory of British Columbia graphic
Canadian territory of Manitoba graphic
Canadian territory of New Brunswick graphic
Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic
Canadian territory of Ontario graphic
Canadian territory of Quebec graphic
Canadian territory of Saskatchewan graphic
Territory map graphic of the country of Mexico
Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic
Alaska  
Hawaii  
Prince Edward Is.  
* MAP NOTES: The territorial heat map above showcases (in red) the states and territories of North America where the Tulip-tree Silkmoth may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data is useful when attempting to see concentrations of particular species across the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some insects are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America. States/Territories shown above are a general indicator of areas inhabited by the Tulip-tree Silkmoth. Insects generally go where they please, typically driven by diet, environmental changes, and / or mating habits.
Site Disclaimer  |  Privacy Policy  |  Cookies  |  Sitemap
Beetle Identification Butterfly Identification Caterpillar Identification Spider ID Fungal Infections on Insects Nursery Web Spider Official State Insects Termite Basics Insect Molting Process Bugs of Tennessee House Centipede JoroSpider.org

2024 www.InsectIdentification.org • Content ©2006-2024 InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved. The InsectIdentification.org logo, its written content, and watermarked photographs/imagery are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and is protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. Material presented throughout this website is for entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for scientific research or medical advice (regarding bites, etc...).Please consult licensed, degreed professionals for such information. By submitting images to us (InsectIdentification.org) you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Site Disclaimer as it pertains to "User-Submitted Content". Images in JPG format are preferred with a minimum horizontal dimension of 1000px if possible. When emailing please include your location and the general estimated size of the specimen in question if possible. Please direct all inquiries and comments to insectidentification AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

©2024 www.InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2006-2024 (18yrs)