A Giant Leopard Moth in Harford Co., Maryland (7/20/2014).

View Record Details Photo by Mike Burchett MBP List

A Giant Leopard Moth in Harford Co., Maryland (7/21/2014).

View Record Details Photo by Mike Burchett MBP List

A Giant Leopard Moth in Cecil Co., Maryland (7/3/2017).

View Record Details Photo by Shannon Schade MBP List

A male Giant Leopard Moth in Pasadena, Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (6/15/2007). We later watched the female deposit several hundred light green eggs.

View Record Details Photo by Bill Hubick MBP List

A Giant Leopard Moth in Harford Co., Maryland (7/2/2019).

View Record Details Photo by Dave Webb MBP List

A Giant Leopard Moth in Baltimore Co., Maryland (7/11/2020).

View Record Details Photo by Dave Webb MBP List

A Giant Leopard Moth in Dorchester Co., Maryland (6/13/2015).

View Record Details Photo by Jonathan Willey MBP List

A Giant Leopard Moth in Frederick Co., Maryland (6/19/2018).

View Record Details Photo by Mark Etheridge MBP List

Giant Leopard Moth in Allegany Co., Maryland (6/18/2017). (c) Timothy Reichard, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 229650 - Psn: 35)

View Record Details Photo by Timothy Reichard MBP List

Giant Leopard Moth in Allegany Co., Maryland (6/18/2017). (c) Timothy Reichard, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 229645 - Psn: 54)

View Record Details Photo by Timothy Reichard MBP List

Giant Leopard Moth in Allegany Co., Maryland (6/18/2017). (c) Timothy Reichard, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 229663 - Psn: 55)

View Record Details Photo by Timothy Reichard MBP List

Giant Leopard Moth in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/30/2021). (c) Wendy R Fredericks, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 405455 - Psn: 55)

Giant Leopard Moth in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/30/2021). (c) Wendy R Fredericks, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Wendy R. Fredericks MBP List

A Giant Leopard Moth in Cecil Co., Maryland (6/28/2022).

View Record Details Photo by Dave Webb MBP List

A male Giant Leopard Moth in Pasadena, Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (6/15/2007). Close-up of it emitting a yellow drop of chemical defense from its thorax.

View Record Details Photo by Bill Hubick MBP List

A Giant Leopard Moth in Harford Co., Maryland (7/2/2020).

View Record Details Photo by Dave Webb MBP List

A Giant Leopard Moth in Howard Co., Maryland (7/6/2013).

View Record Details Photo by Grazina McClure MBP List

A Giant Leopard Moth in Carroll Co., Maryland (6/27/2012).

View Record Details Photo by Anna Letaw MBP List

A Giant Leopard Moth in Wicomico Co., Maryland (6/15/2015).

View Record Details Photo by Scott Housten MBP List

A Giant Leopard Moth in Prince George's Co., Maryland (9/10/2010).

View Record Details Photo by Bob Patterson MBP List

A Giant Leopard Moth in Calvert Co., Maryland (7/12/2005).

View Record Details Photo by Arlene Ripley MBP List

A Giant Leopard Moth in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/15/2005).

View Record Details Photo by R. Child MBP List

A Giant Leopard Moth in Frederick Co., Maryland (6/30/2001).

View Record Details Photo by Mark Etheridge MBP List

Giant Leopard Moths in Baltimore Co., Maryland (7/6/2020).

View Record Details Photo by Richard Crook MBP List

Giant Leopard Moths mating in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/20/2022). (c) mullenbooks, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 590278 - Psn: 100)

Giant Leopard Moths mating in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/20/2022). (c) mullenbooks, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by mullenbooks via iNaturalist MBP List

A Giant Leopard Moth in St. Mary's Co., Maryland (9/5/2016).

View Record Details Photo by Jane Kostenko MBP List

A male Giant Leopard Moth in Howard Co., Maryland (5/28/2004).

View Record Details Photo by Larry Line MBP List

A Giant Leopard Moth larva in Baltimore Co., Maryland (1/4/2017).

View Record Details Photo by Emily Stanley MBP List

A Giant Leopard Moth caterpillar in Harford Co., Maryland (10/8/2017).

View Record Details Photo by Mary Sweet MBP List

Giant Leopard Moth in Frederick Co., Maryland (4/13/2021). (c) Mark Etheridge, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 360833 - Psn: 125)

Giant Leopard Moth in Frederick Co., Maryland (4/13/2021). (c) Mark Etheridge, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Mark Etheridge MBP List

A Giant Leopard Moth caterpillar in Worcester Co., Maryland (4/11/2015).

View Record Details Photo by Scott Housten MBP List

Giant Leopard Moth in Montgomery Co., Maryland (2/15/2018). (c) Paul G., some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 236649 - Psn: 135)

Giant Leopard Moth in Montgomery Co., Maryland (2/15/2018). (c) Paul G., some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by Paul G. via iNaturalist MBP List

A Giant Leopard Moth caterpillar in Baltimore Co., Maryland (10/3/2013). This individual was found roosting for the day under a plywood board in a field. Caterpillars emerge from these day roosts to feed at night.

View Record Details Photo by Bill Hubick MBP List

A Giant Leopard Moth caterpillar in Prince George's Co., Maryland (9/23/2014).

View Record Details Photo by Christopher Polhemus MBP List

A Giant Leopard Moth caterpillar in Montgomery Co., Maryland (7/7/2013).

View Record Details Photo by Max Wilson MBP List

A Giant Leopard Moth caterpillar in Howard Co., Maryland (10/25/2015).

View Record Details Photo by Mike Kerwin MBP List

A Giant Leopard Moth caterpillar falls prey to a Virginia Opossum in Prince George's Co., Maryland (1/30/2021). (c) Sergei Drovetski, all rights reserved. (Photo ID: 334570 - Psn: 176)

View Record Details Photo by Sergei Drovetski MBP List

A newly eclosed Giant Leopard Moth in Baltimore Co., Maryland (7/17/2021).

View Record Details Photo by Richard Crook MBP List

A Giant Leopard Moth caterpillar (early instar) in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (7/17/2004).

View Record Details Photo by Sara Tangren MBP List

Giant Leopard Moth in Calvert Co., Maryland (7/13/2004).

View Record Details Photo by Arlene Ripley MBP List

Giant Leopard Moth in Garrett Co., Maryland (12/25/2025). (c) jessica klotz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

View Record Details Photo by jessica_klotz via iNaturalist MBP List

Giant Leopard Moth in Calvert Co., Maryland (7/11/2021). (c) pgwamsley, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>). (Photo ID: 411614 - Psn: 225)

Giant Leopard Moth in Calvert Co., Maryland (7/11/2021). (c) pgwamsley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

View Record Details Photo by pgwamsley via iNaturalist MBP List

A comparison of Wood Leopard Moth (left) and Giant Leopard Moth (right) at Andelot Farm, Kent Co., Maryland (6/7/2014).

View Record Details Photo by Bill Hubick MBP List

A comparison of Wood Leopard Moth (above) and Giant Leopard Moth (below) at Andelot Farm, Kent Co., Maryland (6/7/2014).

View Record Details Photo by Bill Hubick MBP List

Map Snapshot

1,142 Records

GA AL WA FR CL MO HO BA BC HA CE PG AA CV CH SM KE QA CN TA DO WI SO WO

Status

An eastern U.S. species. Overwinters as a caterpillar.

Description

Distinctive. Compare Wood Leopard Moth. When disturbed, can emit yellow drops of chemical defense from thorax.

Seasonality Summary

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Resources

View at iNaturalist Search Google Images Search MBP Facebook posts

View images at BugGuide View in Moth Photographers Group

Citations

No citations linked for this taxon yet.

Use of media featured on Maryland Biodiversity Project is only permitted with express permission of the photographer.

A Giant Leopard Moth in Harford Co., Maryland (7/20/2014). View Record Details Media by Mike Burchett.

A Giant Leopard Moth in Harford Co., Maryland (7/21/2014). View Record Details Media by Mike Burchett.

A Giant Leopard Moth in Cecil Co., Maryland (7/3/2017). View Record Details Media by Shannon Schade.

A male Giant Leopard Moth in Pasadena, Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (6/15/2007). We later watched the female deposit several hundred light green eggs. View Record Details Media by Bill Hubick.

A Giant Leopard Moth in Harford Co., Maryland (7/2/2019). View Record Details Media by Dave Webb.

A Giant Leopard Moth in Baltimore Co., Maryland (7/11/2020). View Record Details Media by Dave Webb.

A Giant Leopard Moth in Dorchester Co., Maryland (6/13/2015). View Record Details Media by Jonathan Willey.

A Giant Leopard Moth in Frederick Co., Maryland (6/19/2018). View Record Details Media by Mark Etheridge.

Giant Leopard Moth in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/30/2021). (c) Wendy R Fredericks, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Wendy R. Fredericks.

A Giant Leopard Moth in Cecil Co., Maryland (6/28/2022). View Record Details Media by Dave Webb.

A male Giant Leopard Moth in Pasadena, Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (6/15/2007). Close-up of it emitting a yellow drop of chemical defense from its thorax. View Record Details Media by Bill Hubick.

A Giant Leopard Moth in Harford Co., Maryland (7/2/2020). View Record Details Media by Dave Webb.

A Giant Leopard Moth in Howard Co., Maryland (7/6/2013). View Record Details Media by Grazina McClure.

A Giant Leopard Moth in Carroll Co., Maryland (6/27/2012). View Record Details Media by Anna Letaw.

A Giant Leopard Moth in Wicomico Co., Maryland (6/15/2015). View Record Details Media by Scott Housten.

A Giant Leopard Moth in Prince George's Co., Maryland (9/10/2010). View Record Details Media by Bob Patterson.

A Giant Leopard Moth in Calvert Co., Maryland (7/12/2005). View Record Details Media by Arlene Ripley.

A Giant Leopard Moth in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/15/2005). View Record Details Media by R. Child.

A Giant Leopard Moth in Frederick Co., Maryland (6/30/2001). View Record Details Media by Mark Etheridge.

Giant Leopard Moths in Baltimore Co., Maryland (7/6/2020). View Record Details Media by Richard Crook.

Giant Leopard Moths mating in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/20/2022). (c) mullenbooks, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by mullenbooks via iNaturalist.

A Giant Leopard Moth in St. Mary's Co., Maryland (9/5/2016). View Record Details Media by Jane Kostenko.

A male Giant Leopard Moth in Howard Co., Maryland (5/28/2004). View Record Details Media by Larry Line.

A Giant Leopard Moth larva in Baltimore Co., Maryland (1/4/2017). View Record Details Media by Emily Stanley.

A Giant Leopard Moth caterpillar in Harford Co., Maryland (10/8/2017). View Record Details Media by Mary Sweet.

Giant Leopard Moth in Frederick Co., Maryland (4/13/2021). (c) Mark Etheridge, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Mark Etheridge.

A Giant Leopard Moth caterpillar in Worcester Co., Maryland (4/11/2015). View Record Details Media by Scott Housten.

Giant Leopard Moth in Montgomery Co., Maryland (2/15/2018). (c) Paul G., some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by Paul G. via iNaturalist.

A Giant Leopard Moth caterpillar in Prince George's Co., Maryland (9/23/2014). View Record Details Media by Christopher Polhemus.

A Giant Leopard Moth caterpillar in Montgomery Co., Maryland (7/7/2013). View Record Details Media by Max Wilson.

A Giant Leopard Moth caterpillar in Howard Co., Maryland (10/25/2015). View Record Details Media by Mike Kerwin.

A Giant Leopard Moth caterpillar falls prey to a Virginia Opossum in Prince George's Co., Maryland (1/30/2021). (c) Sergei Drovetski, all rights reserved. View Record Details Media by Sergei Drovetski.

A newly eclosed Giant Leopard Moth in Baltimore Co., Maryland (7/17/2021). View Record Details Media by Richard Crook.

A Giant Leopard Moth caterpillar (early instar) in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (7/17/2004). View Record Details Media by Sara Tangren.

Giant Leopard Moth in Calvert Co., Maryland (7/13/2004). View Record Details Media by Arlene Ripley.

Giant Leopard Moth in Garrett Co., Maryland (12/25/2025). (c) jessica klotz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) View Record Details Media by jessica_klotz via iNaturalist.

Giant Leopard Moth in Calvert Co., Maryland (7/11/2021). (c) pgwamsley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). View Record Details Media by pgwamsley via iNaturalist.

A comparison of Wood Leopard Moth (left) and Giant Leopard Moth (right) at Andelot Farm, Kent Co., Maryland (6/7/2014). View Record Details Media by Bill Hubick.

A comparison of Wood Leopard Moth (above) and Giant Leopard Moth (below) at Andelot Farm, Kent Co., Maryland (6/7/2014). View Record Details Media by Bill Hubick.