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Polyphemus Moth

Polyphemus Moth

Antheraea polyphemus

Least Concern

Quick Facts

Kingdom: Animalia
Abundance: Common
Habitat: Forest, Wetland
Activity: Nocturnal (Active at night)

Named after the mythical cyclops from The Odyssey, this moth’s most distinct feature is its large eye spots. Adults are large, brown, with a small round eyespot near the middle of the forewing, and a huge round or elliptical eyespot near the middle of the hindwing. Males are smaller than females but have much more feathery antennae. The caterpillars are large, bright green and have oblique yellow lines running along the abdomen.

Diet

Larvae feed on leaves of broad-leaved trees and shrubs, including birch, grape, hickory, maple, oak, willow, and members of the rose family. Adults do not feed.

Activity Pattern

Nocturnal (Active at night)
Kingdom: Animalia
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Phylum: Arthropoda
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Class: Insecta
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Order: Lepidoptera
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Family: Saturniidae
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Genus: Antheraea
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Species: Antheraea polyphemus

Scientific Name

Antheraea polyphemus

Common Name

Polyphemus Moth

Behavior

They then spin cocoons of brown silk, usually wrapped in leaves of the host plant. Adults of this family of moths have vestigial mouths, meaning their mouth parts have been reduced. Because of this, they do not eat and only live as adults for less than one week. Adult moths use a distraction display involving the large eyespots on its wings to confuse predators. Older caterpillars eat an entire leaf and then cut the leaf petiole at the base so it falls to the ground, perhaps a defensive measure to eliminate signs of feeding.

Activity Pattern

Nocturnal (Active at night)

Habitat Types

Forest
Wetland

Geographic Distribution

The species is widespread in continental North America, with local populations found throughout subarctic Canada and the United States.

Local Abundance

Common

Conservation Status

Least Concern

This species is widespread and abundant. No immediate threat to survival.

Threats & Impacts

Parasitoid wasps that lay their eggs in or on the young caterpillars, the Compsilura concinnata tachinid fly, introduced to North America to control the spongy moth, has also caused a threat to the Polyphemus moth. Pruning of trees and leaving outdoor lights on at night can also be detrimental to the moths.

How You Can Help

  • Report sightings to contribute to population monitoring
  • Support habitat conservation efforts
  • Follow guidelines when observing wildlife
No field notes or observations available for this species.

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