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Citheronia regalis, the regal moth or royal walnut moth, is a North American moth in the family Saturniidae. The caterpillars are called hickory horned devils. The adult (imago) has a wingspan of 3.75–6.1 in (9.5–15.5 cm). The species was first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1793.
Citheronia regalis, the regal moth or royal walnut moth, is a North American moth in the family Saturniidae. The caterpillars are called hickory horned devils. The adult (imago) has a wingspan of 3.75–6.1 in (9.5–15.5 cm). The species was first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1793.
Identification: Females are larger than males. Upperside of forewing is gray with red-orange veins and creamy yellow spots. Upperside of hindwing is orange with creamy yellow at the costa and inner margin. Wing Span: 3 15/16 - 6 1/4 inches (10 - 16 cm).
The moths appear to be velvety grey with highly contrasting dark orange veination and and pale white spots. Both males and females look similar, but are still easy to tell apart due to their size difference; the males are often half the size of females. Male (left) and fermale (right) of Citheronia regalis.
Females are larger than males. The forewings are gray to gray-green with orange veins and a row of seven to nine yellow spots near the distal margin. There also are single yellow discal and basal spots.
Adult males have the same pattern and color as females but are smaller, with narrower wings. As with other giant silkworm moths, the males’ antennae are large and feathery — they are used to detect the scents emitted by females.
The regal moth (Citheronia regalis), also called the royal walnut moth, is a North American moth in the family Saturniidae. The caterpillars are called hickory horned devils. The adult (imago) has a wingspan of 3.75-6.1 in (9.5-15.5 cm).
