Giant Silk Moths and their Decline

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Moths are just as beautiful and fascinating as butterflies! The giant silk moths, in particular, are huge and stunning. How many luna moths have you seen? How about cecropia moths? Not many? Maybe that’s because their nocturnal nature makes them less familiar to us than butterflies. I invite you to go out to your porch lights at night, and let curiosity get the better of you. Moths could use some attention.

Giant Silk Moths and their Decline

From top to bottom: imperial moth, luna moth, and polyphemos moth. All are in the giant silk moth family.

Many moths are declining, but for some reason the topic receives relatively little attention. Just google “moth conservation” and see what comes up. You get some nice UK websites devoted solely to moth conservation, but no such US sites (at least at the time of this writing). Here, we lump it with butterfly conservation, where moths seem to take a back seat.

I was inspired to read up on them after my kids found a striking and uncommon moth on the screen of a cabin we rented in the Adirondacks last week. To learn more about moths or to teach your kids about them, check out these products:

Giant silk moths

The moth we saw in the Adirondacks was an imperial moth, a member of the giant silk moth family (Saturniidae). This family is not closely related to the Asiatic silkworm moth, which exists only as a domesticated species used in silk production.  Saturniidae does include some of the better known moths, such as the luna, cecropia, polyphemus, io, and prometheus moths. Characteristics of most giant silk moths are:

  • Large size
  • Large, feathery antennae
  • Lack of hearing organs
  • Inability to feed, in adults, which have only vestigial mouth parts
  • Larval diet of tree and shrub leaves, with each moth species having a preference for certain plants
  • Larvae spin a tough, papery cocoon (typical) or occupy a small chamber in the soil (less common)
  • Overwinter in pupal stage
Giant Silk Moths and their Decline

We found this imperial moth, Eacles imperialis, in the Adirondacks of NY. The wing span was about 4 inches. Like some of the other giant silk moths, this species is declining throughout the northeast.

Facts about the decline

The imperial moth, the one we saw in the Adirondacks, has suffered a sharp decline in the northeastern states. And many of the other giant silk moths are declining, too. Here are some interesting observations about the decline:

  • Moth enthusiasts report diminishing numbers of giant silk moths at least as far back as the 1950’s.
  • Some species, including the imperial moth, have declined on the mainland, but remain common on the offshore islands of Massachusetts, and in more western and southern parts of their range.
  • Most of the declining species have larger larvae and a longer development time. This suggests a predator or parasite might be a cause of decline. (Larger larvae are easier to find, and longer time spent in larval stage increases the opportunity for larval infection by a parasitoid.)
Giant Silk Moths and their Decline

The luna moth, Actias luna, may or may not be declining in the northeast. I have read conflicting reports on that. This moth was dead on the ground when I found it. You can see how large it was, relative to my thumb. This photo shows its beautiful, feather-like antennae.

Causes of the decline

  • Loss of habitat to development
  • Pesticides
  • Light pollution, which might disrupt their internal navigation system which normally makes use of starlight and moonlight
  • Climate change
  • A parasitiod fly, Compsilura concinnata, which was introduced to control gyspy moths, by injecting its own larvae into gypsy moth larvae.

Recent studies seem to point to the final factor, C. concinnata as a major culprit. And the sad part is that it failed to control gypsy moths. (Gypsy moths are actually controlled by a fungal pathogen.)

Regardless, the introduction of that parasitoid was an unfortunate choice, because it is (and was) known to infect a wide variety of larval hosts. It attacks the larvae of at least 200 native moth species, including giant silk moths. But back in the early 1900’s, people did not think that would create a problem.

Giant Silk Moths and their Decline

The polyphemus moth, Antheraea polyphemus, appears to be maintaining its numbers, despite the decline of other giant silk moths. This species has a wingspan of 4-6 inches.

Giant silk moths and their decline – How you can help

  • Support land protection organizations so that habitat for moths and other wildlife can be protected.
  • Avoid pesticides whenever possible.
  • Tolerate some leaf damage on trees and shrubs, because moth larvae need eat to leaves.
  • Take an active role in reducing light pollution, using some specific suggestions here.
  • Reduce your personal impact on climate change with simple steps described here.
  • Help educate the next generation on the importance of wildlife and natural habitat. Some schools (like our public school system) have environmental ed programs that depend on volunteers. Our town uses the 4 Winds Nature Program, paid for by our local land trust. Be an activist, and bring such a program to your town!

Sources and further reading

Did you know moths were declining? Have you seen any giant silk moths? Share your thoughts and experiences in a comment!

Shared on: From the Farm, Simply Natural Saturdays, Homestead Barn Hop

Comments

Giant Silk Moths and their Decline — 11 Comments

  1. I have 3 cecropia moths that are now in cacoon stage, that I raised from caterpillars and I am hoping they will survive so I will see them emerge. I also tried to raise the polyphemus caterpillars and had 3 luna but lost all of them. They did well to a certain point and then died so I was disappointed. I have such great luck with the black swallowtail butterfly and thought it would be a successful effort but to no avail. We in North Carolina have seen a dramatic decline in the butterfly population which keeps us wondering.

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  3. I still find a few silk moths each year. Even the ones that are in decline. There are at least eight different species of silk moth that I have seen (I know there are more). The Polyphemus moth (I always see at least one each year), the Prometheus moth, the IO moth, the Luna moth (yes we still have a few of those), the Cecropia moth, the Tulip Tree moth, the Imperial moth, and the Royal Walnut moth. Yes pollution and pesticides have reduced the number of them here but if you do a little research, you can find out about the foodplants for the caterpillars and you can encourage those specific plants and trees to grow on your own property. You can also NOT spray your garden and leave an area of your property to grow wild (no grass cutting and/or weeding, etc) to encourage butterflies and moths to stay! BTW, I`m from northern New Jersey (in Essex County).

  4. I’m in the San Francisco Bay Area, and have seen my first giant polyphemus moth. It is dying and this is day 4 I believe. I have a lifelong phobia of moths, but am just in awe of this magnificent creation. It’s on my front walk somewhat shielded by a planter. So far neighborhood cats haven’t seen it but I’d hate for one to make the discovery. Should I move it or just leave it be?

    • Hi Shaun, polyphemus moths live for only 4 days anyway, so if it’s already been alive for a few days, it is almost dead anyway. Celebrate having seen it because the adult phase is so short, but I wouldn’t worry about the cats finding it. That moth has already done its job.

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  6. I live on the border of Nevada California northern part..I’ve lived here for 40 years and seen my first giant silk moth about 5 years ago then this year I found 2 on my porch the weather got cold and rainy so the 2nd one I found I brought her in it’s been 4 days and finally today is nice I read to let them go at dusk but the Temps tonight will be 38 ? She has laid eggs in the container I have her in im going to try to take care of them there’s alot lol I’m wondering if I should just keep her or let her go when it’s not to cold for her to finish her life outdoors? I’m just amazed by this moth so beautiful and so sad she won’t live very long..