What is the hickory horned devil?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

June 4, 2003

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Hickory horned devils (Citheronia regalis Fabricius) are seldom seen although their natural range is from the New England states to northern Florida and west to Kansas. There were never very many of the creatures; it is thought that their population is declining. The first part of their life is spent in the canopy of trees--black walnuts (Juglans nigra), hickories (Carya species), butternuts (Juglans cinerea), sometimes in sweetgums (Liquidambar styraciflua), persimmons (Diospyros virginiana), and sourwoods (Oxydendrum arboreum).

Hickory horned devils grow from 10 to 14 centimeters (4 to 5.5 inches) in length. The caterpillars range in color from turquoise to tan and blend with the leaves or twigs. Each abdominal segment has four short scoli (branched spines, singular scolus); the second and third segments behind the head each have two long and two short scoli which look like horns. When disturbed, they rear up and toss their heads violently side-to-side to frighten predators. Hickory horned devils appear ferocious and it is simply that, appearance only. The caterpillars are harmless. ("Citheronia regalis", Donald W. Hall, Featured Creatures, IFAS, University of Florida, 1998)

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In July or August, hickory horned devils leave the trees and search for a spot of open ground. This is generally when the horned devils are seen. The devils burrow in soft earth to pupate through the winter spending up to 11 months to complete pupation. James R. Baker, an entomologist with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, reports that a few caterpillars spend up to 23 months as pupae. ("Hickory Horned Devil", J.R. Baker, NC State University, 2001)

In the morning hours in late spring or early summer, the royal walnut moth emerges from the pupal case. The body is covered in soft orange and yellow hair-like scales. The wings are brown with startling orange veins and yellow spots. It finally fits its species epithet, regalis.

The royal walnut moth has a wingspan up to 15 centimeters (6 inches). It seeks a mate at night about 36 hours after emerging from the soil, the females lay eggs about a day later. It does not feed, it has only vestigial mouthparts. The moth survives on food reserves stored from its caterpillar stage. After all the months pupating, the beautiful moth lives only a few days.

Butterflies and Moths of North America has a photograph of the royal walnut moth, the hickory horned devil. To view the photographs, click on the link:

http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=3334

Click on the More Images link to see other photographs of the horned devil and its larva.

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