Page "Ailanthus" Paragraph 12

A silk spinning moth, the Ailanthus silkmoth ( Samia cynthia ), lives on Ailanthus leaves, and yields a silk more durable and cheaper than mulberry silk, but inferior to it in fineness and gloss.

This moth has been introduced to the eastern United States and is common near many towns ; it is about 12 cm across, with angulated wings, and in colour olive brown, with white markings.

Other Lepidoptera whose larvae feed on Ailanthus include Endoclita malabaricus.