Polyphemus Moth

Antheraea polyphemus is one of the most widespread and most beautiful giant silk moths (family Saturniidae) in North America — found from southern Canada throughout the continental US and into northern Mexico. Wingspan reaches 15 cm. The species' common name and scientific name both reference the Cyclops Polyphemus from Homer's Odyssey: each hindwing carries a single dramatic transparent eyespot ringed in yellow, blue, and black, presumed to deter or startle visually-hunting predators (jays, mice, bats). Like all giant saturniid moths (atlas, luna, hercules), the adult has no functional mouthparts — she lives 4-7 days on energy reserves built up during the caterpillar stage, finds a mate, lays eggs, and dies. Males have massive feathery antennae that can detect female pheromone (4,11-hexadecadienyl acetate) from over 1.5 km away — among the most sensitive chemical detectors in the animal kingdom. The caterpillar is bright green with diagonal yellow stripes and silver spots, feeds on a wide range of deciduous tree leaves (oak, maple, birch, hickory, ash), and develops over 5-6 weeks before spinning a tough silk-and-leaf cocoon. The species was the first commercial source of 'tussah silk' in North America and remains an important model species for Lepidoptera physiology and molecular biology research.