Habitat
Natural Habitats seem to be open areas with adjacent trees and green spaces (i.e. early successional, meadows, and waterways).
Attracted to lights and increasingly common in urban and suburban areas
(1)
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STATUS: "Secure"
Habitat degradation has resulted in decline of this species across parts of its range.
A. Historically more common and widespread, today the cecropia moth appears to be “UNCOMMON” or at least infrequently encountered across much of its former range.
B. Population and range decline is often attributed to the following:
1. Habitat Loss
2. Pollution
3. Herbicides & Pesticides
4. Movement and introductions of stocks from various parts of the range likely resulting in the spread of pathogens and degradation of natural gene pools. (It is often believed that introducing "new individuals/gene mixing" into a population "may boost the gene pool" by increasing genetic diversity; however, this practice may create more problems than solutions. It is never wise to corrupt populations with introductions no matter how good one's intentions.)
5. Disease & Parasites
a. Viral pathogens
b. Bacterial pathogens (Bacillus thuringiensis, BT toxins in pesticides and transgenic crops)
c. Protozoal Pathogens (Microsporidia)
d. Mycotic/Fungal Infections
e. Insect Parasites/Parasitoids
1) Hymenoptera, parasitic wasps
2) Diptera, parasitic flies
3) Possibly declining in parts of the range due to parasitism by a tachinid fly, Compsilura concinnata, introduced by the USDA to control the Gypsy Moth.
C. Currently thought to be “Globally Secure(??)” with no conservation measures in place, populations should be monitored and conserved.
D. There is increased concern for this species as its populations decline in some areas, and it may be protected in parts of its range (This species is listed under articles of concern in a few states. It is a good idea to check with local authorities before collecting or trading).
Food
Larvae feed on leaves of various trees and shrubs including alder, apple, ash, beech, birch, box-elder, cherry, dogwood, elm, gooseberry, maple, plum, poplar, white oak, willow.
(3)(1) may also feed on lilac and tamarack
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NOTE: After years of collecting, rearing and taking notes from others, the following list of plants have been reported &/or observed to be hosts for the larvae of H. cecropia. HOWEVER, it is very important to consider the following: A host plant consumed by the larvae of this insect in one part of the range/region may not be accepted by this species in another!
* Denotes FAVORED host plants here in the Southeast, incl. North Carolina
** Denotes ACCEPTED host plants here in the Southeast, incl. North Carolina
ACERACEAE, “Maple Family”
1) Maple (Various Taxa), Acer spp. (ACERACEAE)
2) * Red Maple, Acer rubrum (ACERACEAE) - FAVORED
3) Sugar Maple, Acer saccharum (ACERACEAE)
4) Silver Maple, Acer saccharinum (ACERACEAE)
5) * Box Elder, Acer negundo / syn. Negundo aceroides, (ACERACEAE) - FAVORED
ADOXACEAE (CAPRIFOLIACEAE), “Elderberry-Honeysuckle Family”
6) * Elderberry, Sambucus nigra / Sambucus sp. - FAVORED
ALTIGINACEAE (HAMAMELIDACEAE), “Sweet Gum Family”
7) * Sweet Gum, Liquidambar styraciflua (ALTIGINACEAE/HAMAMELIDACEAE) - FAVORED
BETULACEAE, “Alder-Birch Family”
8) * Alder, Alnus spp. (BETULACEAE) - Readily Accepted/FAVORED
9) * Birch, Betula spp. (BETULACEAE) - Readily Accepted/FAVORED
CORNACEAE, “Dogwood Family”
10) * Dogwood, Cornus spp. (CORNACEAE) - Readily Accepted/FAVORED
CUPRESSACEAE, “Cypress-Cedar Family”
11) ** Cypress, Taxodium distichum (CUPRESSACEAE) - Accepted only by FL stocks
NOTE: Cocoons have been collected from Bald Cypress in swamps with no other apparent host plants in the immediate vicinity. I have attempted to rear “Florida cecropia” on Bald Cypress with limited success; however, for best results, it may require the collection of and subsequent experimentation with material associated with this particular host. (??)
EBENACEAE, “Persimmon Family”
12) * Persimmon, Diospyros spp. (EBENACEAE) - Readily Accepted/FAVORED
ELIAGNACEAE, “Oleaster Family”
13) Elaeagnus angustifolia L.(ELEAGNACEAE)
14) Eleagnus spp. (ELEAGNACEAE)
ERICACEAE, “Heath or Heather Family”
15) ** Azalea, Rhododendron spp. (ERICACEAE) - Accepted
16) ** Mountain Laurel, Kalmia secundiflora (ERICACEAE) – Poorly Accepted
17) * Blueberry, Vaccinium spp. (ERICACEAE) - Readily Accepted
18) Cranberry, Vaccinium spp. (ERICACEAE)
19) Bilberry & Huckleberry, Vaccinium spp. (ERICACEAE)
FAGACEAE, “Oak-Beech Family”
20) Beech, Fagus spp. (FAGACEAE)
21) White Oak, Quercus alba and related species (FAGACEAE)
22) Oaks, Quercus spp. (FAGACEAE) - ???
GROSSULARIACEAE, “Gooseberry Family”
23) Gooseberry, Ribes spp. (GROSSULARIACEAE)
24) Gooseberry, Gosularia spp. (GROSSULARIACEAE)
LAURACEAE, “Laurel Family”
25) * Sassafras, Sassafras albidum (LAURACEAE, Laurel Family) - Readily Accepted/FAVORED
MALVACEAE / TILIACEAE, “Mallow or Hibiscus Family”
26) * Basswood or Linden Tree, Tilia americana, Tilia spp. (MALVACEAE/TILIACEAE) - Readily Accepted
27) ** Hibiscus, Hibiscus spp. (MALVACEAE) - Accepted
28) ** Althea or Rose-of-Sharon, Hibiscus syriacus, syn. Althaea frutex Hort. ex Mill. (MALVACEAE) - Accepted
29) Cotton, Gossypium spp. (MALVACEAE) - ???
MORACEAE, “Fig-Mulberry Family” (??)
30) Mulberry, Morus spp, (MORACEAE, Fig Family) - ???
MYRICACEAE, “Myrtle Family” (??)
31) * Wax Myrtle, Myrica cerifera (MYRICACEAE) - Readily Accepted/FAVORED
32) Myrtles (Various Taxa), Myrica spp. (MYRICACEAE)
OLEACEAE, “Olive Family”
33) * Fringe Tree, Chionanthus spp. (OLEACEAE) - Readily Accepted
34) * Forsythia, Forsythia spp. (OLEACEAE) - Readily Accepted
35) ** Privet, Ligustrum sinensis (OLEACEAE)
36) Lilac/Common Lilac, Syringa vulgaris (OLEACEAE)
PINACEAE, “Pine Family” (??)
37) Tamarack, Larix laricina (PINACEAE)
38) Tamarack, Larix spp . (PINACEAE)
39) Hemlock, Tsuga spp. (PINACEAE) - ???
40) Spruce, Picea spp. (PINACEAE) - ???
41) Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga spp. (PINACEAE) - ???
42) Fir, Abies spp. (PINACEAE) - ???
43) Pines, Pinus spp. (PINACEAE) - ???
RHAMNACEAE, “Buckthorn Family”
44) Buckthorn/Ceanothus, Ceanothus spp. (RHAMNACEAE)
45) Ceanothus, C. coeruleus (RHAMNACEAE)
ROSACEAE, “Rose Family”
46) * Wild Cherry/Black Cherry, Prunus serotina (ROSACEAE) - FAVORED
47) Pin Cherry, P. pennsylvanica (ROSACEAE)
48) Choke Cherry, P. virginiana (ROSACEAE)
49) Bitter Cherry, Prunus emarginata (ROSACEAE)
50) Various wild Prunus spp. (ROSACEAE)
51) Cherry Laurel, Prunus caroliniana - does not appear to be an acceptable host. (ROSACEAE)
52) * Wild Plumb, Prunus americana (ROSACEAE) - FAVORED
53) * Cultivated Peach, Plumb & Cherry, Prunus spp. (ROSACEAE) - Accepted
54) Wild Rose, Rosa woodsii (ROSACEAE)
55) Wild Rose, Rosa spp. (ROSACEAE)
56) Cultivated Rose, Rosa spp. (ROSACEAE)
57) * Blackberry/Brambles, Rubus spp. (ROSACEAE) - Readily Accepted
58) * Cultivated Apple, Malus sp. (ROSACEAE) - Readily Accepted
59) Cultivated Pears, Pyrus spp. (ROSACEAE, Rose Family)
60) ** Bradford Pear, Pyrus calleryana (ROSACEAE, Rose Family) – Accepted (occasionally poor!)
61) ** European Cultivated Pear, Pyrus communis (ROSACEAE, Rose Family) - Accepted (occasionally poor!)
62) Hawthorn or Thornapple, Crataegus spp. (ROSACEAE)
63) Asian Hawthorns, Rhaphiolepis spp. (ROSACEAE)
64) Antelope Bitterbrush, Purshia spp. (ROSACEAE)
RUBIACEAE, “Madder-Coffee Family”
65) * Button Bush, Cephalanthus occidentalis/Cephalanthus spp. (RUBIACEAE) – Readily Accepted
SALICACEAE, “Willow-Cottonwood Family”
66) * Black Willow, Salix nigra (SALICACEAE) – Readily Accepted
67) Sand Bar Willow, Salix interior/exigua (SALICACEAE)
68) * Willows (Various Taxa/Native & Introduced), Salix spp. (SALICACEAE) – Readily Accepted
69) Weeping Willow, Salix babylonica (SALICACEAE)
70) Poplar or Cottonwood, Populus spp. (SALICACEAE)
71) * Eastern Cottonwood, Populus deltoides (SALICACEAE) – Accepted
ULMACEAE, “Elm Family”
72) * Elm, Ulmus spp. (UMACEAE) – Readily Accepted
I have attempted to rear cecropia on many of the hosts listed above; however, based on personal experience here in the Southeast, the " * " denotes those host plant species with which I have had success. Although I was able to rear cecropia from egg to adult on many of the other plants in this list, high mortality among early instars and subsequent slow larval development was often observed. (pers. obs., Bill Reynolds)
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adults do not feed
Life Cycle
two or three generations per year in the south, one in the north;
2-6 eggs are laid in rows on both sides of leaf of small host tree or shrub;
eggs hatch in 10-14 days; young larvae feed in groups on leaves;
older larvae are solitary;
overwinters as a pupa in spindle-shaped silken cocoon attached lengthwise to tree branch
Tony Thomas points out: "These cocoons come in 2 forms,
the slim tight ones
and the loose baggy ones.
Not sure if it's a sexual dimorphism with the female having the baggy cocoon."
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Multiple Generations (?):
Reported to have multiple generations in the South (??), I have NOT yet personally observed adults in nature beyond the spring/early summer months (March-early June - incl. FL, GA, AL, MS, TN, SC, or NC).
Rearing them in mesh sleeves subjected to natural outdoor conditions ("in situ") also suggests they are typically univoltine here in the South (exceptions may be observed). Rare incidental eclosions have been observed to occur indoors, but are not likely the norm. Even as far south as central Florida (Ocala) cecropia pupae appear to require a series of cool spells to break diapause. (pers. obs. mid-1970's thru 2011, Bill Reynolds)
Contacts in Louisiana report 2 generations are possible when this species is reared in captive conditioons for display and exhibit, but this observation is not likley typical of the local natural populations.
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Cocoon Morphology:
Cocoon morphology ("baggy vs. compact") does not seem to indicate the gender of the insect. However, often times the size and weight of the pupae within can be suggestive of gender - females usually being "weightier" by comparison (personal experience).
Observations suggest the various cocoon morphologies may have environmental purposes. In the fire maintained ecosystems of the Southeast, the baggy cocoons are often prevalent. I have collected scorched, yet viable, cocoons of the baggy form in and along recent burn sites; most of which have sucessfully eclosed. (Notes on cocoon morphologies: pers. obs. mid-1970's thru 2011, Bill Reynolds)
