Insects and Spiders - native

Ceanothus Silk Moth (Hyalophora euryalus) on May 13, 2024

Submitter has sample

Description of specimen

Wing span about 4 inches. Colorful. Furry. Thought it was a bird at first.

Commentary

Thank you for your report! These are not pest moths, this is our native Ceanothus silk moth, Hyalophora euryalus! They are not commonly seen because the adults are short lived and nocturnal. They are never abundant enough to damage the forest shrubs like ceanothus that their caterpillars feed on.

Tom Valente
May 14, 2024, 2:15 a.m.

Resources

Ceanothus Silk Moth information on iNaturalist

Location

My cats have brought 2 of these hugh moths with funny antenna and furry bodies into my house. The second one is intact, the first the wings were destroyed. I had no idea what it was until I saw an article about Washington having a problem. I live by B.L.M. government lands. Lots of trees. Biggest moth I ever saw. Thinking they must be a problem out here too and I should let someone know. So that's why I looked this up. I live at the 20 mile marker outside Prineville on the Paulina Hwy.

Expert Reviewer

Tom Valente
Oregon Department of Agriculture

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