| Polyphemus Moth (Antheraea polyphemus) (Cramer, 1776) |
| Synonyms: Phalaena polyphemus, Telea polyphemus |
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Antheraea polyphemus is a widely distributed North American species found from boreal Canada, including Newfoundland, to central Mexico. It inhabits deciduous and mixed forests and wetlands, and enters treed urban areas. A relatively large silkmoth; wingspan 100-150 mm. Upperside is reddish cinnamon to a grey-brown, with lighter margins. Small eyespot on the forewing and a large eyespot on the hindwing are ringed with yellow, blue, and black. Males have smaller bodies and more feathery antennae than females. The caterpillar is large, bright green, with red and silvery spots and yellowish lines below setae; the final instar is up to 75-100 mm long. Host plants include a wide variety of trees and shrubs, including birches (Betula), maples (Acer), willows (Salix), oaks (Quercus), hickory (Carya), American Elm (Ulmus americana), American Beech (Fagus grandifolia), etc. Adults do not feed. A. polyphemus flies in May-July in the north (1 brood), and April-August in the south (2 or more broods).
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