NOW: Callosamia promethea EGGS
Host plants: Cherry, Birch, Willow, Tulip Tree, Sweetgum, Lilac, Privet
Difficulty: Caterpillars can be challenging (6/10); cocoons are easy to care for (1/10)
Temperature: Room temp.
Lifecycle: one or two broods annually; cocoons overwinter
Known as the Promethea or Cherry Moth, is a North American silk moth belonging to the family Saturniidae. Wingspan varies between about 6 and 10cm, with females almost always being larger. Interestingly, the male and female of this species could be confused for different species due to their striking differences - males tend to be triangular in shape and have a yet black wing colour, while females can be a lot more variable in shades of red, orange, and brown. This species flies during the day, usually mating in the early afternoon, which is unusual for moths. Achieving pairings is easy, but rearing caterpillars can be difficult. They do accept a variety of hosts, however, like: Cherry, Willow, Birch, Sweetgum, Tuliptree, Magnolia, Spicebush, and Sassafrass. I have personally had the best results using Ash as a host in cages outdoors.