The Polyphemus moth is a North American member of the family Saturniidae, the giant silk moths, named from the Greek myth of the cyclops Polyphemus for the large, purplish eyespot on each hindwing that is its most noticeable feature. It is a tan-colored moth with an average wingspan of about 15 centimeters. First described by the entomologist Pieter Cramer in 1776, it is widespread across continental North America, with local populations found throughout subarctic Canada and in every U.S. state except Arizona and Nevada.
Facts
Classification
Living or ExtinctDerived from this species' own Conservation Status: this atlas's IUCN category list has no Extinct value, so a set conservation-status is itself evidence of living status (w-bfill-g5-0924 browse backfill). Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceA tan colored moth with an average wingspan of about 15 cm (6 in), whose most noticeable feature is the large, purplish eyespot on each hindwing. 1 Scientific Name Conservation Status Sources
1. Wikipedia: Antheraea polyphemus
Taxobox
Antheraea polyphemus
Taxobox, conservation status field
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Description section
It is a tan-colored moth, with an average wingspan of 15 cm (6 in). The most noticeable feature of the moth is the large, purplish eyespot on each hindwing.
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