Moths of North Carolina
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35 NC Records

Callosamia promethea (Drury, 1773) - Promethea Moth

Callosamia prometheaCallosamia prometheaCallosamia promethea
view caption 		Callosamia promethea
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Bombycoidea Family: SaturniidaeSubfamily: SaturniinaeTribe: AttaciniP3 Number: 890079 MONA Number: 7764.00
Comments: One of three Callosamia species in North Carolina
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1923), Ferguson (1972), Tuskes et al. (1996)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Forbes (1923), Ferguson (1972), Tuskes et al. (1996), Wagner (2005)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Sexually dimorphic, with both males and females resembling those of the other two species of Callosamia in our area. Male promethea are the most easily recognized, being much darker than those of the other two and lacking the large discal spots that are prominent in those species, especially on the forewings. Their forewings are also narrower and more falcate -- hooked-looking. Females are similar in pattern to those of the other species, but they tend to be smaller and possess strong red or dark umber shading on both the wings and body. In comparing light-colored females of all three species, promethea completely lack any yellow or orange tint, especially along the inner margin and basal area of the forewing where even some of the redder-orange angulifera show at least some yellowish shading. In these cases, good quality photographs -- with accurate color representation -- are helpful in diagnosing the species.
Wingspan: 75 mm (Forbes, 1923)
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: As with the adults, larvae of all three Callosamia are very similar in appearance, but larvae of promethea have pale rings surrounding the black spots that run the length of their body and lack the pale stripe below the spiracles that are present in the other two. Cocoons remain attached to the twigs of their host plants and are relatively easy to look for. Their elongated shape -- twice as long as wide (Forbes, 1923) -- is distinctive.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Found in all regions of the state, but Brimley (1938) regarded it as irregular in occurrence.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Immature Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Flight Comments: Probably double-brooded in the Low Mountains, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain, although our own records are too few to make out a pattern. Females of the spring brood tend to be more brownish and those of the summer brood more reddish (Tuskes et al., 1996).
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Occurs in a wide range of forested habitats and can be commonly found along shrubby hedgerows, roadsides, and early successional stands (Wagner, 2005).
Larval Host Plants: This species is much more polyphagous than the other two Callosamia, feeding on a wide range of hardwood trees and shrubs. Based on cocoon surveys in South Carolina, Peigler (1979) documented this species commonly on Horse Sugar (Symplocos tinctoria), but also on Sassafras (Sassafras albidum), Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), Black Cherry (Prunus serotina), and Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis). Other host plants listed as favorites by Wagner (2005) include ash, magnolia, silverbell, Spicebush, Sweetbay, and Tulip-tree (the last two also used by C. securifera and C. angulifera respectively). Wagner also notes that local preferences may exist, with only certain species being used primarily within a given area. In North Carolina, larvae have been found feeding on Tulip-tree, Sassafras, and a cherry (Prunus sp.). - View
Observation Methods: As is true for Callosamia securifera, but contrasting with angulifera, males are primarily diurnal or crepuscular and do not come well to lights (Covell, 1984). Judging from our sampling results, females also come to light only sparingly, with only single individuals being observed on the rare occasions when they show up. Cocoon surveys, such as those conducted by Peigler (1979) offer the best way of determining population distribution, size, and trends. Fortunately, this species appears to inhabit the lower strata of forests and shrubby areas where its cocoons are often visible close to eye level (Wagner, 2005).
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Forests and Shrublands
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 S3S4
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands
Comments: Our low number of collection records are likely to be an artifact of adults being poorly attracted to lights or bait, our main way of sampling adult moths. Given the wide range of host plants -- many of them common, the diversity of habitats they occupy, and their wide distribution in North Carolina, this ought to be one of our more resilient and secure species. In the Northeast, however, this formerly common species has markedly declined, probably the result of parasitism by a Tachinid fly, Compsilura concinnata, introduced to control Gypsy Moth populations (Boettner et al., 2000; Wagner, 2005; Schweitzer et al., 2011; Wagner, 2012). Unlike the more localized effects of native control agents to which the species has been long-adapted, the effects of introduced predators, parasites, and competitors can be so pervasive that even resilient habitat generalists can be drastically affected. Although Compsilura has not been artificially introduced to combat Gypsy Moths in North Carolina, it appears to be moving southward on its own and is now well-established in Virginia (Kellogg et al., 2003). In North Carolina, cocoon surveys are needed to more accurately assess the true conservation status of this species and the situation regarding Compsilura parasitism needs to be closely monitored.

 Photo Gallery for Callosamia promethea - Promethea Moth

Photos: 16

Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2024-06-30
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2024-06-30
Graham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2023-09-06
Buncombe Co.
Comment: A larva that was feeding on Tulip Poplar.		Recorded by: Kim Carlisle on 2022-07-17
Wilkes Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-05-21
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2022-05-13
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-05-01
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-05-01
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Brian Bockhahn on 2021-08-13
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2021-04-27
Madison Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Owen and Pat McConnell on 2019-06-17
Graham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Stephen Hall; Brian Bockhahn; Paul Scharf on 2016-07-21
Stokes Co.
Comment: female
Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2013-04-18
Transylvania Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2013-04-18
Transylvania Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: B. Anderson on 2006-08-12
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: found in MOMO photo database on 2004-08-06
Stanly Co.
Comment: