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Home , Anisota virginiensis, Antheraea, Antheraea polyphemus, Callosamia, Callosamia promethea, Dryocampa rubicunda

What is a Giant Silkmoth? Project Silkmoth: Why conduct this survey? Silkmoths are thought to be declining in the A Survey of the Many of our largest-sized northeastern U.S. because of habitat destruc- belong to the , Giant Silkmoths tion and the introduction of a parasitic known as the Giant Silkmoths. used to control Gypsy Moths. Sightings will of Northern The entire life cycle of these moths become part of the Adirondack All-Taxa Bio- is one year or less and they live diversity Inventory (ATBI) database and will New York State most of their lives as or be used to construct occurrence maps for pupae. As adults, the moths do not each silkmoth . feed and most species are noctur- www.projectsilkmoth.net nal. Adult females use chemical signals () to attract males for mating. Adult silkmoths usually live less than a week. Project Silkmoth Sponsors

Joseph and Joan Cullman Conservation Luna Foundation Northern New York Audubon (nnya.org) Paul Smith’s College (www.paulsmiths.edu) Adirondack All-Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI)

Cecropia

Project Director The Dr. Janet R. Mihuc Paul Smith’s College (actual size). Paul Smiths, NY This is the E-mail: [email protected] second largest moth Polyphemus in North America. Participate!

Project Silkmoth How do I participate? Survey period  Go to the project website: www.projectsilkmoth.net For more information May 15-July 31  Familiarize yourself with silkmoth colora- Sightings forms from the survey period will tion patterns, wingspan, flight period and about each silkmoth be accepted through September each year. plants species, check the website  Print or view the sightings form so you Target geographic area understand what information is needed www.projectsilkmoth.net All of northern New York State, defined as with each sighting north of a line from Syracuse to Utica to  Locate potential light sources that might Albany. attract silkmoths or provide your own

light source (see “Where to look” section)

Target species  Check for silkmoths early in the morning (take a camera and a net if you have one) The following 12 species are silkmoths that Where to look for silkmoths should or may occur in northern New York.  Report your sightings in 1 of 4 ways: online form, using the EpiCollect app, Nocturnal silkmoths like ultraviolet emailing or snail mailing the sightings light and are most attracted to: 1. Regal Moth ( regalis) form (a photo must also be submitted for certain species). See the website for more 2. Imperial Moth ( imperialis)  clear mercury vapor lights details. 3. Rosy Moth ( rubicunda) (found in streetlights) 4. Pink-striped Oakworm ( virginiensis)  blue or white ‘blacklights’ 5. Orange-striped Oakworm (Anisota senato-  bright lights in remote areas ria) 6. Io Moth ( io) A moth that settles near a light will of- 7. Polyphemus Moth ( polyphemus) ten stay there through the day if not 8. ( luna) disturbed. readily eat these 9. Promethea Moth ( promethea) moths, so visit established light sources 10. Tuliptree Moth () The Rosy Maple moth (actual size) is small in size early in the morning. 11. Cecropia Moth ( cecropia) compared to other silkmoths but shows wide color variation. Some individuals have dark pink mark- Day-flying silkmoths may be found ings while others have faint pink markings. near their host plant species, which are listed on the website.