Polyphemus Moth
Antheraea polyphemus
The moth is named after the cyclops Polyphemus from Greek mythology due to the large, striking eyespots on its hindwings.
- Scientific name
- Antheraea polyphemus
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Lepidoptera › Saturniidae › Antheraea
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Deciduous forests, orchards, and suburban areas with plenty of host trees like oak and maple.
- Diet
- Larvae consume leaves from oak, maple, and willow; adults do not eat and live off stored fat.
- Range
- United States, Southern Canada, Northern Mexico
- Size
- Wingspan of 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 inches).
- Lifespan
- 4 to 7 days as an adult; approximately one year including larval and pupal stages.
- Active
- nocturnal
- Threats
- Light pollution, habitat fragmentation, and broad-spectrum pesticides.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. These moths lack mouthparts and cannot bite or sting. If found, observe from a distance. To help, minimize outdoor lighting at night which can exhaust and disorient them.
Antheraea polyphemus ( polyphemus moth ) 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...
Photo: Trevor Van Loon, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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