October 9, 2025

The caterpillar, or larval stage, of a Spicebush Silkmoth (callosamia promethea). The host plants of these moths are Spicebush (Lindera benzoin), Sassafras (Sasssafras albidum), Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipfera), Sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana), White Ash (Fraxinus americana), Lilac (Syringa vulgaris), Black Cherry (Prunus serotina), Birches (Betulaceae), Maples (Sapindaceae), and Lindens (Tilia).

As adults these Silkmoths live for 1 to 2 weeks, eating and drinking nothing. During that short time they depend on energy stored during their larval stage. Their purpose during this stage in their life is to mate and lay eggs, enabling another generation to live.

One hefty caterpillar.

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