Regal moth

The Regal moth (Citheronia regalis) is one of the largest moths in North America, with a wingspan reaching up to about 150 mm (roughly 6 inches). It is widely considered the heaviest moth on the continent, with females being particularly massive due to their egg-laden bodies.

The hickory horned devil is the larval stage of the Regal moth, and it is one of the largest caterpillars found in North America, growing up to about 5 inches in length. Despite its fearsome appearance with prominent orange and black horns, it is completely harmless to humans and typically feeds on leaves of hickory, walnut, pecan, and sweetgum trees.

Regal moths are native to the deciduous forests of eastern North America, ranging from Massachusetts and New Jersey westward to Missouri and southward to Florida and eastern Texas. They have declined significantly in the northern parts of their range due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and the near-elimination of their host trees such as mature hickory and walnut.

Adult Regal moths live only about one to two weeks because, like most Saturniidae species, they have vestigial mouthparts and do not feed during their adult stage. Their sole purpose as adults is reproduction, and females release pheromones at night to attract males, after which they lay eggs on suitable host trees and die shortly thereafter.