Polyphemus Moth
About the Polyphemus Moth
Named after the Cyclops Polyphemus from Greek mythology for the large eyespots on their hindwings. When threatened, they suddenly reveal these spots to startle predators. One of the largest North American moths with a 15 cm wingspan. Adults have no functional mouthparts and live only about a week. Their silk was commercially harvested in the 1800s. Females release pheromones detectable by males from kilometers away.
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