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What species of moth #756619

Asked June 16, 2021, 3:07 PM EDT

Hello this large guy was on the side of my house two days ago and I was wondering if you could help identify him for me.

Harford County Maryland

Expert Response

This is one of our spectacular wild "silk moths" (quotes used because they're not actually in the same family as the moths used in silk production, though they share the silkmoth name). They're among the largest moths in North America. Based on its wing pattern and colors, this looks like a male Promethea Moth (Callosamia promethea). Here is a sample gallery of images (males, females, and caterpillars) for comparison: https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/view/347

Adults in this moth family do not (and cannot) eat, and live up to about two weeks, finding mates and laying eggs on their host plants. The caterpillars are never numerous enough on any one plant to be a damaging pest. Adults can be disoriented by outdoor lights since they fly at night, and that's why they sometimes accidentally turn up around doorways and windows.

Miri

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