Wonder of Science

The cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), is North America's largest native moth, with a wingspan up to 18 cm (7 inches).

Credit: mackattack_zoology/IG

Video source: https://www.instagram.com/p/BkVFkXmAtXx/
Further reading: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyalophora_cecropia

@mackattack_zoology on Instagram: "#cecropiamoth #cecropia #saturniidae #lepidoptera #moths #entomology #zoology #biology #science #nature #Hyalophoracecropia #hyalophora"

518 likes, 27 comments - @mackattack_zoology on Instagram: "#cecropiamoth #cecropia #saturniidae #lepidoptera #moths #entomology #zoology #biology #science #..."

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Jul 12, 2023 at 1:33pmTusky
Show threadsheislaurenceJul 12, 2023
@wonderofscience woah, i imagine the holes in that mohair jumper ๐Ÿ˜‚
Show threadMcDyerJul 12, 2023

@wonderofscience

Years ago we found a cocoon, put it in an open jar, and did a little home nature lesson for the kids. And forgot about it.
Time passed, and my daughter woke up to a cecropia moth hanging off the bottom of her beside lamp.
I will never unhear that scream.
(We carefully moved it outside. No moths were harmed. My daughter, however...)

Show threadNothings MonsteredJul 12, 2023
@Mcdyer @wonderofscience one day when I was a kid there was a Luna moth on the outside of my window, and it was awesome. IDK how I would have felt if it was on the *inside*
Show threadMcDyerJul 12, 2023
@Nothingsmonstrd @wonderofscience
It was like a psychedelic bat- out of context, it even freaked me out a little (and I have an entomology background).
Show threadJeremy HumphreyJul 30, 2023
@Mcdyer @wonderofscience There would be a hole in the wall the shape of my BF, if that happened in my house.
Show threadMeercat โœ… โ€จJul 12, 2023
@wonderofscience Thatโ€™s larger than many bird species!
Show threadGrahamJul 12, 2023
@wonderofscience My worst nightmare
Show threadGuiri ๐ŸŒˆJul 12, 2023

@wonderofscience @vosje62

Awesome animalโค๏ธ

Show threadJames BrittJul 12, 2023
@wonderofscience Mothra!
Show threadslyborgJul 12, 2023
@wonderofscience Collected one of these when I was like 10 for a school project and have regretted killing such a beautiful creature ever since โ˜น๏ธ
Show threadxs4me2Jul 12, 2023

@wonderofscience

Wow!

Show threadDani ๐ŸJul 12, 2023
@wonderofscience W O W !
Show threadAJJul 12, 2023
@wonderofscience Beautiful
Show threadKennethJul 12, 2023

@wonderofscience
@GatekeepKen

Beautiful.

Show threaddr. NikolasJul 12, 2023
@wonderofscience wow!
Show threadChristine BrรถsenhuberJul 12, 2023
@wonderofscience only nature can produce such perfectioin
Show threadabhinav jhaJul 12, 2023
@wonderofscience looks surreal
Show threadAviva GaryJul 12, 2023
@wonderofscience cool
Show threadLHamiltonJul 12, 2023
@wonderofscience Years ago, our 10 year old son brought in a caterpillar and put it in our terrarium where it built a cocoon. We all forgot about it til the spring when we were watching tv and something huge flew over our heads. The cocoon had yielded a massive cecropia moth.
Show threadMintyJul 12, 2023
@wonderofscience That moth is gorgeous. I have never seen one in the wild. The biggest I have seen is a Luna moth.
Show threadT.A. WalkerJul 12, 2023
@wonderofscience A few years ago, I found a privet hawk moth (I believe, the largest moth native to the UK) - I basically shoo-ed off the wasp which I think had been attacking it. Wingspan around 10cm; the cecropia moth absolutely *dwarfs* it ๐Ÿ˜ฎ
Show threadJerry O ConnorJul 12, 2023

@wonderofscience

Absolutely beautiful, thank you for sharing.

Show threadSungjin ์„ฑ์ง„Jul 12, 2023
@wonderofscience why is that so terrifying to me hahaha?!
Show threadLenshiboJul 13, 2023
@wonderofscience Moths truly are the best bug
Show threadnatriumchlorideJul 13, 2023
@wonderofscience oh my god it's so meaty ๐Ÿ˜ฑ it looks beautiful on picture but also if i ran into one irl i think i would scream, faint or both
Show threadstevenrayJul 13, 2023
@wonderofscience absolutely stunning. My kitten is fascinated.
Show threadPeachMcDJul 13, 2023

@wonderofscience

I was in High School in Wisconsin & saw one of these in the parking lot. Will never forget how awesomesauce it was

Show threadSpiritechJul 13, 2023
@wonderofscience Straight out of Phantoms. ๐Ÿ˜ฑ
Show threadLars ChristiansenJul 13, 2023
@wonderofscience @troz WonderOfNature. ๐Ÿ˜€
Show threadChusiJul 13, 2023
@wonderofscience Absolutely gorgeous
Show threadJohnnyblazeJul 13, 2023
@wonderofscience ๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ’ฏ๐Ÿ‘
Show threadMoondrifter MediaJul 13, 2023
@wonderofscience Wow, that's basically the mothodon of moths. ๐Ÿ‘€
Show threadNameless_forevermoreJul 14, 2023
@wonderofscience That's not as scary as the Emperor Moth's larval form though. In appearance I mean. Hickory Horn Devils are harmless.
Show threadJeremy HumphreyJul 30, 2023
@wonderofscience My BF would freak out if he saw this.