About Callosamia securifera Maassen
Callosamia securifera, commonly known as the sweetbay silkmoth, is a saturniid moth species in the genus Callosamia. Its common name comes from its primary host tree, Magnolia virginiana, which is called sweetbay magnolia. The species was first formally described by Peter Maassen in 1873. Male sweetbay silkmoths have dark, maroon-colored wings, while females have brownish-pink wings. Southern color phases of this species are more orange-yellow, brighter, and paler than other phases. All color phases share distinct wing markings: a "7"-shaped mark alongside eyespots, lavender patches, and borders with a buff pattern. Sweetbay silkmoths are diurnal, and their mating activity takes place during the afternoon. Adults live for approximately two weeks, which is long enough for them to mate and lay eggs. Like other species in the genus Callosamia, sweetbay silkmoth caterpillars spin hanging cocoons that have leaves attached to them.
