Regal MothCitheronia regalis
About this species
- Length
- 1.8 in
- Wingspan
- 5 in
From our Collectors' field notes
Diet
The caterpillars spend all summer feasting on the leaves of hickory, walnut, and sweetgum trees. They stock up on energy reserves because once they become adults, they don't have working mouths and can no longer eat.
Defense: Cool!
The caterpillars, known as "Hickory Horned Devils," can grow up to 6 inches long and have prickly orange horns. They look absolutely terrifying to birds, but are actually completely harmless.
Defense: Cool?
To avoid predators before growing their horns, early-stage caterpillars camouflage themselves to look like bird droppings.
The Burrow
When autumn arrives, the giant caterpillars climb down to the forest floor and burrow deep in the dirt. There, they safely overwinter inside a dark, hardened pupal shell.
The Heavyweight
These moths are one of the largest and heaviest in the woods. They're so big that if you listen closely, you can actually hear them beating their heavy wings as they flutter through the dark.