Cecropia moth

[si-kroh-pee-uh]

noun (sometimes lowercase)

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

Origin of Cecropia moth

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

Also called Ce·cro·pi·a.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for cecropia moth

cecropia moth

noun

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

Word Origin for cecropia moth

C19: New Latin, from Latin Cecropius belonging to Cecrops

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012