Cecropia moth

[si-kroh-pee-uh]

noun

(sometimes lowercase)

1. a large North American silkworm moth, Hyalophora cecropia, the larvae of which feed on the foliage of forest and other trees.

cecropia moth

/ sɪˈkrəʊpɪə /

noun

1. a large North American saturniid moth, Hyalophora (or Samia ) cecropia, with brightly coloured wings and feathery antennae

Word History and Origins

Origin of Cecropia moth¹

1865–70, < New Latin Cecropia name of the genus, Latin: feminine of Cecropius pertaining to Cecrops, legendary ruler of Attica

Word History and Origins

Origin of Cecropia moth¹

C19: New Latin, from Latin Cecropius belonging to _Cecrops

Example Sentences

The cecropia moth is even larger — some are six inches across — and patterned like a medieval tapestry.

From Washington Post

One day a fine-looking Cecropia Moth came out of her chrysalis and clung to the nearest twig while her wings grew and dried and flattened.

From Project Gutenberg

Perhaps the most interesting of these caterpillars are the big native silk-worms, like those of the cecropia moth, the luna moth, the polyphemus moth, or the promethia moth.

From Project Gutenberg

Now take off the hairs, elongating and thinning out the tubercles, and make up the loss by the increased size of the worm, and we have the caterpillar of our common Cecropia moth.

From Project Gutenberg

Have you ever watched a cecropia moth when it crawls out of its dull gray prison of chrysalis?

From Project Gutenberg