Ailanthus Silkmoth - Hodges#7759
Samia cynthia
This record describes Samia cynthia (species). Recorded family: Saturniidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
It is a silk producing moth. It was introduced from China in the late 1800s. There is legitimate debate as to whether there are still wild populations of this species in our area. The images here so far are from captive, hand-raised populations.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Bombycoidea
- Family
- Saturniidae (Giant Silkworm and Royal Moths)
- Subfamily
- Saturniinae
- Tribe
- Attacini
- Genus
- Samia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Found in open areas, near and in cities.
Geographic Range
There may be some populations east of Rocky Mountains in eastern United States and southern Canada. "spotty distribution along the Atlantic coast from Connecticut to Georgia and west to northern Kentucky." BAMONA
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Many trees and shrubs, including ailanthus (tree of heaven, paradise tree), birch, ash, elm, alder, wild cherry, maple, lilac, willow, and apple.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Samia cynthia. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Ailanthus Silkmoth - Hodges#7759 (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ken Schneider; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Chuck Entz , Vox Sciurorum , Abigail Parker
Frequently Asked Questions About Ailanthus Silkmoth - Hodges#7759
What is Ailanthus Silkmoth - Hodges#7759?
Ailanthus Silkmoth - Hodges#7759 (Samia cynthia) is a species in the family Saturniidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Ailanthus Silkmoth - Hodges#7759 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Found in open areas, near and in cities. |
| Range | There may be some populations east of Rocky Mountains in eastern United States and southern Canada. spotty distribution along the Atlantic coast from Connecticut to Georgia and west to northern Kentucky. BAMONA |
What does Ailanthus Silkmoth - Hodges#7759 eat?
The diet of the Ailanthus Silkmoth - Hodges#7759 includes Many trees and shrubs, including ailanthus (tree of heaven, paradise tree), birch, ash, elm, alder, wild cherry, maple, lilac, willow, and apple..