POLYPHEMUS MOTHS
The Polyphemus Moth was named after the One-Eyed Giant
Polyphemus of Greek mythology because of the large eye
spots on the wings. This moth has the largest range of the Giant
Silk Moths. Its range covers all the states
in the United states and all of the Canadian provinces except Alaska,
Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, and Newfoundland. The Polyphemus moth
has a wingspan of 3.5 to 6 inches. It has two broods every
year.
The Polyphemus
caterpillar or larva feeds mostly on shrubs, alder, basswood, oak,
hickory, elm, maple, birch, and poplar. The green caterpillar
goes through five growth stages or instars. The Polyphemus
caterpillar has a brown/tan freckled head. When the caterpillar
is ready to make its cocoon, it finds a safe spot. Then
it makes a sticky thread from a hole near its mouth and begins winding
the thread round and round its body. It pulls a leaf around the
cocoon securing it with the sticky thread. When
the moth is ready to emerge from the cocoon, it makes a special juice
which softens the cocoon so it can push its way out.
The newly hatched
moth's wings are wet and wrinkled. The moth will spend an
hour squeezing fluid from its body into the wings. Then the
Polyphemus moth will remain motionless for the rest
of the day to let its wings stiffen and harden. Adult
moths do not eat or drink. Moths are active at night and rest
during the day. The female moth has a fatter body and very skinny
antenna. The male moth has a trim body and wide feather-like
antenna. The male moth will take to flight looking for a mate.
The female moth will generally not fly until she has mated. Then
she will then take flight to lay her 200 - 350 eggs.
Adult moths live for about a week. These new eggs will hatch
in 10 - 14 days. About 2 of the 200 original eggs will make
it to the cocoon stage.
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Photo by Mrs. Gray's Class, 1999
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