New Jersey Butterfly Club
A chapter of the North American Butterfly Association (NABA)
Regal Moth (Citheronia regalis)
Hodges number: 7706
Family: Saturniidae
Subfamily: Ceratocampinae
Wingspan: 4.0-6.2 inches
Range in NJ: Southern and central counties north to Hunterdon, Morris, and Essex.
A U.S./Canada distribution map for this species is available.
Flight Period: May-September, 1 brood
Caterpillar Food Plants: Many species of deciduous trees.
Comments: Attracted to lights in small numbers. Females are larger than males. Magnificent later instar caterpillars are known as Hickory Horned Devils.
Mount Olive, Morris County, NJ, 7/16/14.
Third and fourth instar larvae are brown.
Last instar of Regal Moth larva. The later instars are known as Hickory Horned Devils. Mature larvae are as fat as a good cigar or a cheap hot dog and can reach 5 inches in length.