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Photo#534150
Tulip-tree Silkmoth - Callosamia angulifera

Tulip-tree Silkmoth - Callosamia angulifera
Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, USA
June 13, 2011

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

Callosamia angulifera, MALE
Tuliptree Silk Moth, Callosamia angulifera
This species is by far the most frequently encountered member of its Genus in our area and can be very common.

f.y.i. - We also have the Promethia Moth, C. promethia, across parts of Wake Co. (much less common in recent decades and still declining), and the Sweet Bay Silk Moth, C. securifera, is an occasional find in the exteme se. corner of Wake Co., near the Johnston Co. line (based on 2 collection records of males flying to caged females).

Hope that helps.

 
Thanks
Thanks Bill. Yeah, I have seen Tulip-tree a bunch of times, but have seen some of these darker individuals and wasn't sure if it was a dark Sweetbay. What is the best way to differentiate Tulip-tree dark forms from those of Sweetbay and Promethia?

 
Seasonal and variable
There are ways to differentiate Callosamia angulifera and securifera - esp. ventrally.
C. angulifera usually has a well developed ventral pattern and males possess a well developed pink post medial. In contrast, males of C. securifera typically possess a more blurred ventral pattern and lack the development of the pinkish-red postmedial seen in angulifera.

It's hard to explain and include the "exceptions" but easy to show. Once you've seen several of each, it kinda "clicks" (sorry that's not so scientific ;). If you're ever in town, come by the museum. I have extensive collections and would be happy to go through them and compare/contrast.

angulifera:
early season forms


late season form


securifera:


promethia:

 
Thanks Bill!
Thanks Bill!

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