Western Michigan
Actual ranges may, in many cases, be much more expansive than noted. I expect cecropia, promethea, luna, polyphemus and rubicunda fly in all Michigan counties.
There are some species indicated that may now be extirpated.
Clicking on a scientific name will take you to a file with pictures and/or information.
Jonathon Tubbs confirms Hyalophora columbia in Otsego County based on a wild female taken at lights on June 2, 2007.
I asked (June 2007) Jonathan, who has done much collecting and rearing, about lunas in Otsego County and he provided this interesting commentary:
"Although birch trees and hardwood forests are common up here in Northern Michigan, I have never seen or collected a wild luna around the Northern part of Otsego. I have heard reports of them being in the town of Wolverine in Cheboygan county, but never have seen them here in Vanderbilt. I HAVE found them in the Pigeon River State forest (S.E. of Vanderbilt, which is in another county) about 30 miles or so from here. The only report I have had, was one male at a light in Sparr, which is in Otsego County. So you can say there IS luna in Otsego county, just not in my area. My pairings of lunas were of captive reared females crossed with a totally different bloodline via males from stock in MA."
The addition of luna to Otsego County is based on Jonathan's commentary.
Zak van Loocke (Lambertville, Monroe County) confirms Callosamia promethea (June 8, 2005) in southeastern Michigan. I suspect the species is double-brooded in southern portions of Michigan. Zak also reports a female luna taken in Blissfield, Lenawee County, July 23, 2005.
David Etz (May 15, 2003) writes,"I'm in St. Clair County (NE of Detroit), in a mostly rural area. Cecropia, promethea and polyphemus are common here. Lunas seem to be less common (I've tried a few times over the last 2 years to call in wild males, but had only one pairing the first year). I haven't seen any columbias here." * The listings for Eacles imperialis in the northern half of the state are probably for subspecies E. i. pini
Joe Lentz (May 15, 2003) writes, "I am in Eaton Co., which seems to be part of an area that is giving good feedback. Of course many of the more rural Michigan counties (which presumably have larger silkmoth populations) have fewer people that are reporting."
Joe confirms the species indicated from Eaton County.
Jay Lindh (May 17, 2003) reports, "I live in Ottawa County and there are Hyalophora cecropia, Callosamia promethea, Antheraea polyphemus, Callosamia angulifera and a few Actias luna."
Ty Clark writes, "About the only real info I can add to the Michigan map is that polyphemus, cecropia, and promethea are extremely common in Alpena Country.
Herb Jennings writes, "I currently live in Wexford county but grew up in Osceola county. I've caught or reared the following species over the last 30+ years. Some still appear to be abundant but others I haven't seen many of, especially recently. Not sure if it's because of where I now live or if there has been a decline:
Callosamia promethea - very common, we have lots of pin cherry, ash or other types of cherry that seem to be a favorite. I've found many cocoons on cherry. I had 2 females hatch recently, one on 6-12 and one on 6-14. Males were flying all over the place.
Antheraea polyphemus - fairly common. A female (cocoon from your dad) just hatched last Wednesday, 6-18. Attracted a couple of males around 5 a.m. May have been more but I wasn't up all night. Polyphemus have always been a favorite. They like elm which is where I found my first polyphemus cocoon. Unfortunately most of our elm are dead now. Maple and oak do the job nicely.
Hyalophora cecropia - I've seen dead caterpillars (road) and some moths but haven't seen any at my lights recently. I reared many over the last few years so I know they're around. They like cherry, box elder, maple, apple and walnut around here. I have some from your dad that haven't hatched yet. When they do I'll let you know if I attract any males if I get a female.
Actias luna - Every so often I here of or see a dead moth. We have scattered walnut trees around the area and I know they'll feed on birch. As a teenager, I found a couple larva on a walnut tree and reared them to adults. That was an exciting experience.
Automeris io - I have also found adults and larva in both counties. Haven't seen any recently but I think maybe it's because of where I live. They seem to prefer ash here.
Hyalophora columbia - I have caught a few in the years that I've lived in the area. We have many tamarack trees around us. They were more readily seen when I had female cecropias.
Eacles imperialis - I've caught a few the last few years. They usually come out in mid-July and they like the stadium or ball field lights. Only found one larva in the wild.
Sphingicampa bicolor - pretty common. I usually find at least one every year even where I live now."
Non-member Carly Kelly writes, "I have a polyphemus moth cocoon that I collected from the Huron Manistee National Forest (Lake County) while working there. I originally collected the caterpillar and it formed a cocoon in my "pop-up port a bug" screened carrier towards the end of August. Recently, due to weather conditions, I brought it inside (on December 1st), only to discover that it is still alive and wiggling around."
Jonathon Tubbs reports Antheraea polyphemus hatching from
spring brood cocoons in Otsego County, August 2, 2005. There is
probably at least a partial second brood when conditions are right.
Jonathon also confirms Eacles imperialis pini, Dryocampa rubicunda,
Callosamia promethea, and Antheraea polyphemus from Otsego
County.
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