Polyphemus Moth
Antheraea polyphemus
Summary 4
The polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus) is a North American member of the family Saturniidae, the giant silk moths. It is a tan-colored moth, with an average wingspan of 15 cm (6 in). The most notable feature of the moth is its large, purplish eyespots on its two hind wings. The eye spots give it its name – from the Greek myth of the Cyclops Polyphemus. The species is widespread in continental North America, with local populations found throughout subarctic Canada and the United States. The caterpillar can eat 86,000 times its weight at emergence in a little less than two months.
Host Plants 5
Polyphemus moths are polyphagous, meaning they eat many different plants. At Floracliff they can be found on ashes, dogwoods, elms, hickories, maples, oaks and other woody plants.
Sources and Credits
- (c) floracliff, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by floracliff
- (c) Sean McCann, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/25449831@N00/115877263
- (c) floracliff, all rights reserved, uploaded by floracliff
- (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antheraea_polyphemus
- (c) floracliff, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
More Info
- iNat taxon page
- Animal Diversity Web
- Biodiversity Heritage Library
- BOLD Systems BIN search
- BugGuide
- Butterflies and Moths of North America
- CalPhotos
- CUIC Insect Images
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
- HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants
- Maryland Biodiversity Project
- Maryland Moths
- Mass Moths
- Moth Photographers Group
- Moths of North Carolina
- NatureServe Explorer 2.0
- Pacific Northwest Moths
