Paper Cecropia Moth Tutorial – Make North America’s Largest Moth!

July 13, 2025

The Cecropia Moth is bold, strange, and impossible to ignore — with rusty red wings and crescent spots, it’s here to add some gloriously creepy energy to your home.

In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through how to create a beautiful paper version of the North America’s largest native moth that’s perfect for display, gifting, or just admiring on your desk.

✂️ What You’ll Need

Card stock
Scissors or a craft knife
Pencil to add curves to the wings
Glue stick or craft glue
Optional: Some tissues for fluff effect

Step 1: Create or Trace a Template

You can find some reference pictures and sketch the moth parts yourself, or grab our digital templates featuring 21 of the most beautiful moths in the world. Simply print and cut — you’re ready to craft!

Make sure your template includes the following parts:

One connected piece for both forewings
One connected piece for both hindwings
Moth head
Moth body segments (multiple pieces for a layered, realistic look)

Step 2: Cut

Carefully cut out all the pieces: forewings, hindwings, head, and multiple body parts.

Cut tiny fringes onto the antennae. head and body using scissors or a craft knife.

Step 3: Create the Fuzz

To mimic the fuzzy wings, you can use tissue paper, cotton, or any other fuzzy material you have on hand to tear, shape, and attach it to the edges of the wings. Color the fuzz to match the wings, If you want.

Cotton tissue looks more like real fuzz than the wood pulp tissue. I highly recommend trying it

Step 4: Curl for Dimension

Add subtle curves to the antennae, head, body, and wings by gently curling them over a pencil for a 3D look. Be extra careful with the antennae if you've cut fringes!

Step 5: Make the Connector

Cut out a thin strip of paper, roll it, and glue the ends together to create a connector. This small but essential piece will give your moth structure and help make that adorable chonky body pop!