Orizaba Silk Moth vs Silver-spotted Ghost Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Orizaba Silk Moth	Silver-spotted Ghost Moth
Scientific Name	Rothschildia orizaba	Sthenopis argenteomaculatus
Order	Lepidoptera	Lepidoptera
Family	Saturniidae	Hepialidae
Size	110-145 mm	60-75 mm wingspan
Habitat	Forests	Rivers & Streams
Diet	Omnivores	Root Feeders
Regions	Mexico, Central America, southwestern United States	Eastern North America
Conservation	Least Concern	Least Concern

Orizaba Silk Moth

A magnificent New World silk moth with large reddish-brown wings bearing conspicuous triangular clear windows. It was historically reared for its silk in parts of Mexico.

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Did You Know?

Indigenous peoples of Mexico once used the silk from Rothschildia orizaba cocoons to weave a coarse fabric, making it one of the few New World silk moths commercially utilized.

Silver-spotted Ghost Moth

A large ghost moth from North America with silver-spotted wings. Caterpillars bore into the roots of alder trees, taking two years to develop. Adults emerge for brief nocturnal mating flights.

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Did You Know?

Larvae spend up to two years boring through alder tree roots in waterlogged soil before pupating.