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Project Noah Nature School
Antheraea polyphemus
The Polyphemus Moth (Antheraea polyphemus) is a North American member of the family Saturniidae, the giant silk moths.[1] 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 caterpillar of the Polyphemus Moth can eat 86,000 times its weight at emergence in a little less than two months. It is widespread throughout much of North America, from southern Canada to parts of Mexico.
Tina - This is actually a Polyphemus moth caterpillar (Antheraea polyphemus). The giveaway is the iridescent pink spots. Luna moth caterpillars have darker spots, and their bodies are more round instead of angular (check out this link for a picture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Actias...). This caterpillar will still become a very beautiful moth, though - nice find!
Spotted on Sep 21, 2009
Submitted on Aug 26, 2011
