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Promethea Silkworm

Callosamia promethea

Callosamia promethea, also known as the Promethea silkmoth, is a species of silkmoth found in North America. This moth exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males and females having noticeably different physical characteristics. The males have broader wings and more feathery antennae than the females, who have a more rounded appearance.

One fascinating aspect of the Promethea silkmoth is its use of Batesian mimicry as a defense mechanism. In this form of mimicry, a harmless species imitates the warning signals of a harmful species to deter predators. Male Promethea silkmoths use this tactic by mimicking the color and appearance of the pipevine swallowtail butterfly, which is known for its noxious taste and toxicity. This mimicry helps protect the Promethea silkmoth from predators that have learned to avoid the pipevine swallowtail.

Habitat
Forests and woodlands
Scientific Name
Callosamia promethea
Wing Span
75mm to 95mm
General Size
Large
Wing Color
black
black
brown
brown
Marking's Color
black
black
white
white
Markings Pattern
Eye Spots

Characteristics describe the physical and behavioral traits that distinguish a species from others. This section helps readers identify and differentiate between similar species, aiding in species identification and reducing the chance of misidentification.

Identifying Characteristics

Female

  1. Reddish brown wings

  2. Tan borders

  3. White reniform spots

Identifying Characteristics

Male

  1. black wings w/ tan borders

  2. Faint tan/white postmedian line

  3. Pink near eyespot on tip of forewing

The chart displays the months of the year on the x-axis and observations of a particular species on the y-axis, indicating the time of year when each species is most commonly observed. This chart can assist moth watchers and researchers in predicting the best times and locations to observe specific moth species.

A range map is a visual representation of a species' geographical distribution, and it helps naturalists and field researchers quickly determine if a species is likely to be found in a given area, aiding in identification, conservation, and habitat management efforts.