The Ceanothus Silk Moth

This Ceanothus Silk Moth was found by staff member Julie Miller on the veranda of the Pavilion. Julie believes it had just emerged from its cocoon and was pumping blood into its newly unfolded wings. As its name suggests, this moth in its larval form only feeds on the Wild Lilac (Family Ceanothus), a shrub found all over the grounds of the Ranch. As an adult, the moth’s sole purpose is to find a mate and reproduce. It doesn’t even have developed mouth parts to feed once out of the larval stage! What a beauty with a 5″ wingspan!!