NOW: Hyalophora cecropia EGGS
Host plants: Birch, Alder, Apple, Cherry, Plum, Willow, Ash, Sweetgum. Many more are reported.
Difficulty: Caterpillars can be a challenge to rear in later stages (7/10); cocoons are very easy to hatch (1/10)
Temperature: Room temp. or outside (securely)
Lifecycle: there is only one brood per year with adults flying in spring and early summer; cocoons overwinter and emerge next spring
Hyalophora cecropia, known as the Cecropia or Robin Moth, is North America's largest native moth. It belongs to the Saturniidae family, renowned for its stunning appearance. With a wingspan of around 15cm, this is an impressive moth. Cocoons overwinter, emerging in late spring the following year. The caterpillars are striking, with bright green bodies adorned with spiky tubercles and red or orange markings. They feed primarily on deciduous trees, including: Cherry, Birch, Willow, Alder, Ash, Maple, Plum, Sweetgum, and multiple others. Caterpillars can be challenging to rear, I recommend mesh cages from L2 to prevent disease transmission. Sleeved outdoors is even better, I know of people who have excellent results sleeving larvae on Apple trees in their gardens.