Mating behavior and life habits of the sweet-bay silk moth (cailosamia Carolina).

The mating activity of the sweet-bay silk moth (Callosamia carolina) was confined to the midday period between 10 a. m. and 3 p. m. The closely related tulip-tree silk moth (Callosamia angulifera), with which Callosamia carolina is often confused, is entirely nocturnal. Reproductive isolation between these sibling species is most probably geared to these differences in circadian activity. Larvae of Callosamia carolina thrived only on the leaves of Magnolia virginiana, upon which the species was double-brooded annually.