Hyalophora cecropia is latin name or names biology of cecropia moth. Cecropia moth is the largest moth animals found in the region of North America. Cecropia moth is part of the Saturniidae family or us more familiar with the name of the giant silk moth. Distribution of the cecropia moth found in the western rocky mountains and found also in the maritime provinces (Canada). While still a larva, cecropia moth is usually found in maple trees (unique fact that the maple tree is not a food source cecropia moth but wild cherry and birch are the favorite food of the cecropia moth).
Maple tree or Acer has a broad distribution of habitats on earth. Commencing from continental Asia, Europe, North America, and even South America. Asia is a region that has the highest acer species numbered 128, and the least is south american (southern hemisphere) accounted for one species. But not all maple trees can be occupied by cecropia moth, there are certain factors that influence it.
Maple tree or Acer has a broad distribution of habitats on earth. Commencing from continental Asia, Europe, North America, and even South America. Asia is a region that has the highest acer species numbered 128, and the least is south american (southern hemisphere) accounted for one species. But not all maple trees can be occupied by cecropia moth, there are certain factors that influence it.
How to differentiate between male cecropia moth and female cecropia moth.
Cecropia moth males and cecropia moth females have differences in the antennae (of course with a view of the cecropia moth antenna then we will be easy to differentiate between male and female). Antenna function in insects is very diverse or lots. There are three important functions for insect antennae. The function are as touch, as smell, and the latter as flavorings. Cecropia moth also use these functions on its antenna.
The difference between males and females are:
1. Fur antenna,
- Males have bushy antennae bristle structure.
- Females have an antenna structure finer hairs or fewer.
2. Stomach giant silk moth.
- Males had a stomach sharper.
- Females have a more rounded belly stomach because females serves to store the eggs, so that the stomach will be bigger when compared with the male stomach.
Cecropia moth life cycle
1. Cecropia moth eggs
2. Cecropia moth eggs hatch and eat the leaves of the cherry
3. Cecropia moth caterpillar
Cecropia moth caterpillar
4. Cecropia moth cocoon
Cecropia moth cocoon
5. Cecropia moth pupa
6. Cecropia moth become adults with the release out of pupa
1. Parasitoids
Process parasitosid kill cecropia moth / pupa cecropia caterpillars from cecropia moth -> Other species lay their eggs in the caterpillar cecropia moth -> other species eggs hatch into larva in the cecropia moth caterpillar -> larva take control cecropia moth caterpillar with its specific chemical substances -> Larva into pupae and kill the caterpillar cecropia moth in a pupa state.
2. Squirrel
Squirrels was known to be more likely to eat a cocoon from cecropia moth. Actually, for the case from squirrels who like to eat a cocoon, this problem is not including a big problem because the problem is caused by the natural action from squirrel. Without treatment contrived by humans.
3. Illegal logging maple tree
Illegal logging is a major enemy of environmental protection in the world. With logging, trees as home and animal food sources is reduced. The less trees lead to the few animals left. In this case, when the maple trees reduced the cecropia moth will also be reduced. Reduced maple trees could be due to the maple tree has a function or benefit to humans. By taking excessive maple tree and not accompanied with planting maple trees, maple trees as home cecropia moth will disappear. Then surely cecropia moth will become extinct if not adapted to other trees.