Family: Saturniidae, Giant Silkworm Moths view all from this family

Description  4 1/4 - 4 1/2" (106-113mm). Sexes similar (with exception of males having much wider antennae). Bright, wine-colored wings with light gray-brown outer edges. All wings with one black-edged, comma-shaped, white teardrop near center and black and white transverse stripe across wings. Forewings have additional black and white transverse stripe near the base and prominent black, oval eyespot near the tip. Body robust and wine-colored, with white band on head and thorax and several on abdomen.

Similar Species Other large western silk moths are not as uniformly colored as the Ceanothus Silk Moth.

Life Cycle Eggs are laid singly or in small groups. Caterpillar large (about 3" long at maturity) and plump; green with small number of blunt, yellow spines along top of body. Cocoon is a large oval structure, usually slightly pointed at one end. Host plants are very varied and include mountain lilacs (Ceanothus), for which they are named, as well as Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), cherries, birches, willows, and many others.

Flight One brood; January - early July, with flight progressively later at higher latitudes and elevations.

Habitat  Many varied habitats, including coastal woodlands, chaparral, and evergreen forests.

Range British Columbia south to Baja California, Mexico; coast to Sierra Nevada.

Discussion As with many of our large silk moths, this species flies primarily late at night, its mating flight usually between 3:00 a.m. and dawn. Since few people are awake at these hours, most giant moths are considered great rarities by the general public when, in fact, many of these moths, including the present species, may be locally abundant.