Orizaba Silk Moth
Common NameOrizaba Silk Moth
Scientific NameRothschildia orizaba
FamilySaturniidae
SubfamilySaturniinae
Wingspan (mm)125
Primary Colorsbrown, reddish-brown, white, black
HabitatTropical and subtropical forests, woodlands, plantations
Geographic RangeCentral America, South America (from Mexico south to Brazil and Argentina, including Surinam)
Host PlantsTheobroma cacao, Liquidambar styraciflua, Salix, Prunus, Carya, Quercus
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical regions, multiple broods
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesThe caterpillar is large and spiny, feeding on various host plants. It pupates in a silken cocoon, often attached to a branch or leaf, before emerging as an adult moth.
Identification TipsKey features include its large size, robust body, and the distinctive large, circular eyespots with concentric rings (often white, black, and translucent) on all four wings. The overall coloration is typically shades of brown or reddish-brown.
Description
A large, robust moth with broad wings, characterized by prominent, multi-ringed eyespots on both forewings and hindwings, and a base color typically ranging from reddish-brown to purplish-brown.
