Summary ⁷

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 inches). The most notable feature of the moth is its large, purplish eyespots on its two hindwings. The eye spots are where it gets its name – from the Greek myth of the Cyclops Polyphemus. The species is widespread in continental North America, with local populations...

Habitat ⁸

Deciduous boreal forest in central and northern AB, local in the parkland and prairie river valleys.

Life cycle ⁹

Overwinters as a pupa in a large, silken cocoon. Although the oval-shaped cocoons usually fall to the ground with the host plant leaves they are wrapped in, they can occasionally be found in the winter still attached to the host plant by a small amount of silk thread. These moths typically rest suspended from a branch or twig during the day, with their wings folded above their back. The undersides of the wings are surprisingly cryptic for such a large moth. If these moths are disturbed when at rest, they often drop to the ground, and flap their wings once giving the appearance of a sudden 'jump'. With the eyespots exposed, this makes an impressive display which may startle potential predators. Polyphemus was a giant cyclops in greek mythology, and the polyphemus moth presumably received its name to reflect the large eyespots on its wings.

Taxonomy ¹⁰

Comments: Most workers have included what is now A. occulea under this name.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Sean McCann, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/25449831@N00/115877263
2. (c) Jason Sturner, some rights reserved (CC BY), http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4645639632_f32dccfe9d.jpg
3. (c) Dick, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1201/556665022_04f3c5554b_o.jpg
4. (c) Jason Sturner, some rights reserved (CC BY), http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3361/4645645746_4044e4e780.jpg
5. (c) Jim Vargo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/Files1/JV/300/JV7757-300-IN.jpg
6. (c) Jim Vargo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/Files1/JV/300/JV7757f-300-130.jpg
7. (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antheraea_polyphemus
8. (c) University of Alberta Museums, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/31882131
9. (c) University of Alberta Museums, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/31882132
10. (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28761790

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

Range Map

(c) Discover Life and original sources, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC-SA)

iNat Map