This is our most widespread silkmoth in the US. It is also one of our largest, with a wingspan of up to 6 inches. Like our other giant silkmoths, males have smaller bodies but much larger and more feathery antennae than do females (a male is pictured here). When they emerge as adults, they don’t have functional mouthparts …meaning they don’t feed. They live for a week to two weeks tops, so it’s basically a race to mate. Here in western Montana they can be found mostly in May and June. Larvae feed on leaves of broad-leaved trees and shrubs, including chokecherry, birch, maple, willow, and members of the rose family.
Size: Wingspan of up to 6 inches
Photos by: Katie Clark on 6/24/22 in Missoula, MT
