cecropia

noun

• 1a fast-growing tropical American tree, typically among the first to colonize a cleared area. Many cecropias have a symbiotic relationship with ants.

  • Genus Cecropia, family Cecropiaceae

• 2 (also cecropia moth) a very large North American silkworm moth with boldly marked reddish-brown wings. The caterpillars feed on a variety of forest trees.

  • Hyalophora cecropia, family Saturniidae