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
System (Realm) Relationship to PeopleAgricultural or Structural Pest 2 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. 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 Comparison
NatureServe Rank CITES Appendix Scientific Name Conservation Status Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source Wikidata: Polyphemus Moth
In Biome
Source Wikipedia: Antheraea polyphemus
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Antheraea polyphemus
Taxobox
Antheraea polyphemus
Infobox: status
LC
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.
- inhabits deciduous forests/orchards/urban areas/wetlands land habitats
- In Biome: Wetlands, Wikipedia intro: "Arizona and Nevada. Polyphemus moths inhabit deciduous hardwood forests, orchards, urban areas, and wetlands. The caterpillar can eat a total of 86,000 times it..."
View the Source2. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Antheraea polyphemus
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyPrimary Diet, Antheraea polyphemus
Primary Diet herbivore herbivore
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative Impacts
Negative Impacts crop pest
Conservation Status: CITES
CITES No special status
View the Source 3. NatureServe Explorer: Antheraea polyphemus
NatureServe ExplorerGlobal rank (roundedGRank)Quote, Global rank (roundedGRank)
"roundedGRank": "G5"
Wikidata: Polyphemus Moth
- Wikidata Q1758845, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
- Child Taxon Of: Saturniidae, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chain
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