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Antheraea polyphemus
Lepidoptera / Saturniidae
Large ringed hindwing eyespots distinguish the Polyphemus moth. Its caterpillars produce audible mandibular clicks and defend themselves with regurgitated fluid.
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Antheraea polyphemus is a North American silk moth in Saturniidae. Telea polyphemus is a historical generic combination. [1]
The wings vary from reddish or yellow-brown to grey, even within a locality. Transparent centres lie inside the eyespots; the larger hindwing spots have yellow, black and partial white rings. Pink-edged transverse lines cross the wings. Both sexes have comb-like antennae, broader in males. [1]
The species ranges from southern Canada into Mexico. Within the contiguous United States, the distribution summarized by Hall excludes Arizona and Nevada. [1]
Northern populations generally have one annual generation; two occur farther south. Cocoons may remain attached to twigs, fall with leaves or be spun among ground vegetation. [1]
Larvae feed on a broad range of deciduous plants. Adults have vestigial mouthparts and do not feed. [1]
When attacked in laboratory trials, caterpillars clicked by bringing their serrated mandibles together. Increasing the simulated attack rate increased their signalling. Clicking usually preceded or accompanied regurgitation. [2]
Brown and colleagues tested the defensive fluid on food offered to Formica ants and domestic mice. Both assays showed deterrence. The authors interpreted the clicks as a warning associated with this chemical defence. [2]
Donald W. Hall; University of Florida / IFAS · Accessed 2026-10-11
Brown, Boettner and Yack; Journal of Experimental Biology 210, 993–1005 (2007) · Accessed 2026-10-11
Sources checked 2026-10-11. Illustrations · Luminary Oddities.
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