Ohio is home to more than 3,000 moth species. Like butterflies, moths can be strikingly beautiful insects. I’ll often stare at the rich greens, fiery reds, and soft blues in disbelief. This spring at Rocky River Nature Center, we reared two different species of moth into adulthood. As caterpillars, their diet was hand selected and carefully provided. The enclosures were on display beginning last fall and into winter for visitors to enjoy. The well-camouflaged caterpillars and, ultimately, cocoons would sometimes create confusion. A moth at any stage of life can hide in plain sight with ease. Moths are a big nutrient source for pint-size predators, so blending in serves their survival well. If the nature center onlooker could spot the critter, a naturalist-aided tale of metamorphosis would ensue.
Moths begin their life as a tiny egg, followed by the caterpillar larval state, and then morph into the pupal form, commonly called a cocoon. Each of the more than 160,000 moth species worldwide employs their own variety of cocoon but, functionally, the purpose remains similar: a drastic change in body plan and growth of wings! As adults, moths can mate and reproduce their species to begin another uncertain road down complete metamorphosis.
The following cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia) came into adulthood on May 14, 2016 and the guests of the nature center, staff too, were equally amazed by the huge wingspan of this male. Next we welcomed the regal moth (Citheronia regalis) into flighted living on June 21, 2016. Her stunningly-saturated colors and super-soft appearance were a first for me. I am yet to see a regal moth in the wild, so this captive encounter was my very first observation of the species. Within 48 hours both moths were released back into the wild, after their educational duties were well fulfilled.
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Cecropia Moth
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The cecropia moth is the largest in North America with a wingspan approaching 6 inches. As with others in the giant silkworm family (Saturniidae), the winged adult life is only about a week long!
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Regal Moth
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Commonplace in the old-growth forests of southeastern Ohio, the regal moth can also be spotted in northern Ohio. The harmless, yet radically conspicuous caterpillar (hickory horned devil) scares any and all passersby.
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Quiz: Can you identify this moth species?
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Clue: This moth is in the giant silkworm family: (Saturniidae). It can be spotted in habitats from forests to suburbs. When the forewings are opened, the striking eyespots are flashed so that a would-be predator may be frightened.
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Photos: Author (Martin J. Calabrese), Copyright (Attribution-NonCommercial)