Orange-barred Sulphur vs Tulip-tree Silk Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Orange-barred Sulphur Tulip-tree Silk Moth
Scientific Name Phoebis philea Callosamia angulifera
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Pieridae Saturniidae
Size Wingspan 67-80mm 80-110 mm
Habitat Underground Forests
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions North America, South America Eastern United States
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Orange-barred Sulphur

A large bright yellow butterfly with orange bar markings on the upper forewings. Females are more muted with reddish markings.

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Did You Know?

Males patrol large territories and engage in spiraling aerial battles with rivals that can last several minutes.

Tulip-tree Silk Moth

A large silk moth similar to the promethea but with more angular wing shapes and richer coloring. It is closely associated with tulip tree forests of the eastern United States.

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Did You Know?

The tulip-tree silk moth spins a distinctive leaf-wrapped cocoon that hangs from a branch by a silk peduncle, swaying in the wind all winter.