Antheraea polyphemus 2805477 225675693 2008-07-14T21:12:20Z 71.245.75.189 changed number of instars to 5 not 6 {{Taxobox | name = Polyphemus moth | image = Polyphemus moth edit2.jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = ''Antheraea polyphemus'', adult male | name = Polyphemus moth | regnum = [[Animalia]] | phylum = [[Arthropod|Arthropoda]] | classis = [[Insect|Insecta]] | ordo = [[Lepidoptera]] | familia = [[Saturniidae]] | genus = ''[[Antheraea]]'' | species = '''''A. polyphemus''''' | binomial = ''Antheraea polyphemus'' | binomial_authority = Cramer, 1776 }} The '''Polyphemus moth''' (''Antheraea polyphemus'') is a member of the [[Saturniidae]] family, or giant silk moths. It is a tan colored moth, with an average wingspan of 6 inches (15&nbsp;[[centimetre|cm]]). The most notable feature of the moth is its large, purplish [[Eyespot (mimicry)|eyespots]] on its two [[hindwing]]s. The eye spots are where it gets its name – from the Greek myth of the Cyclops [[Polyphemus]]. The caterpillar of the Polyphemus moth can eat 86,000 times its weight at emergence in a little less than two months. ==Life cycle== The life cycle of the moth is much like that of any other saturniidae species. It lays flat, light brown eggs on the leaves of a number of host plants, including: *''[[Betula]]'', (birch) *''[[Salix]]'', (willow) *''[[Quercus]]'', (oak) *''[[Acer (genus)|Acer]]'', (maple) *''[[Carya (genus)|Carya]]'', (hickory) *''[[Beech|Fagus]]'', (beech) *''[[Gleditsia triacanthos]]'', (honey locust) *''[[Juglans]]'', (walnut) *''[[Pyrus]]'', (pear and quince) *''[[Prunus]]'', (plum, peach, apricot, cherry, ''etc.'') *''[[Sassafras]]'' *''[[Citrus]]'', (orange, grapefruits, lemons, limes, ''etc.'') *''[[Ulmus americana]]'', (American elm) When the eggs hatch small yellow caterpillars emerge. As the caterpillars age, they molt 5 times (the 5th being into a pupa). Each [[instar]] is slightly different, but on their fifth and final instar they become a bright green color with silver spots on their side. They feed heavily on their host plant and can grow up to 3-4 inches long. They then spin [[Pupa#Cocoon|cocoon]]s of brown [[silk]], usually wrapped in leaves of the host plant. There are generally two broods throughout the United States, one that hatches in early spring and one that hatches in late summer. The moths [[eclose]] and then must pump their wings with fluid ([[hemolymph]]) to extend them. The females emit [[pheromones]], which the male can detect through its large, plumose [[Antenna (biology)|antennae]]. Males can fly for miles in order to reach a female. After the moths mate, the female spends the majority of the remainder of her life laying eggs, while the male may mate several more times. Adults of this family of moths have [[vestigial]] mouths, meaning their mouth parts have been reduced. Because of this, they do not eat and only live as adults for less than one week. ==Sexual dimorphism== Differentiating between sexes of this species is very easy. The most obvious difference is the [[plumose]] [[antenna (biology)|antennae]]. Males will have a very bushy antenna while females will have a moderately less bushy antenna. Another difference is that the females will be slightly larger in the abdomen due to carrying eggs. There is a surprising amount of variation within this species. Color patterns can range from a reddish-cinnamon to a dark brown but are almost always a shade of brown. == Pictures == <gallery> Image:Antheraea polyphemus eggs sjh.JPG|Polyphemus eggs Image:Antheraea polyphemus 1st instar sjh.JPG|1st [[instar]] caterpillar. Reared on [[Post Oak]]. Image:Antheraea polyphemus 1st instar 2 sjh.JPG|1st instar caterpillar. Reared on Post Oak. Image:Polyphemus_caterpillar_big.jpg|Polyphemus caterpillar Image:Antheraea polyphemus female sjh.JPG|Polyphemus moth adult female Image:Antheraea polyphemus male sjh.JPG|Polyphemus moth adult male Image:Antheraea polyphemus variation sjh.JPG|Polyphemus moth adult variation Image:Antheraeapolyphemusfemale.jpg|Polyphemus moth adult female Image:Antheraeapolyphemusmating.jpg|Polyphemus moth adults mating <!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: Image:Polyphemus moth 1.jpg|Polyphemus moth adult male. --> </gallery> ==Threats== Pests of the moths have become a huge problem. [[Parasite|Parasitic]] [[insect]]s such as some species of [[wasp]]s and [[fly|flies]] lay their eggs in or on the young caterpillars. The eggs then hatch into larvae which consume the insides of the caterpillars. Once the caterpillars pupate, the larvae themselves pupate, killing the polyphemus pupa. [[Squirrel]]s have also been known to consume the pupae of polyphemus moths, decreasing the population greatly. Pruning of trees and leaving outdoor lights on at night can also be detrimental to the polyphemus moths. Polyphemus moths are located from coast to coast in the US and are found throughout most of Canada. ==Response to Threats== The Polyphemus moth uses [[defence mechanism]]s to protect itself from [[predator]]s. One of its most distinctive mechanisms is a [[distraction pattern]] that serves to confuse, or simply distract, predators. This involves the large [[eyespot (mimicry)|eyespot]]s on its hindwings, which give the Polyphemus its name (from the [[Cyclops]] Polyphemus in Greek mythology). Eyespots are also [[startle patterns]], a subform of distraction patterns, used for [[camouflage]] via deceptive and blending [[coloration]]. Most startle patterns are brightly colored areas on the outer body of already camouflaged animals. (Another example of the use of startle patterns is the gray [[tree frog]], with its bright yellow leggings. When it leaps, a flash of bright yellow appears on its hindlegs, usually startling the predator away from its [[prey]].) It is believed that distraction patterns are a form of [[automimicry|mimicry]], meant to misdirect predators by markings on the moths' [[Insect wing|wings]]. ==External links== *[http://www.cirrusimage.com/polyphemus_moth.htm Polyphemus moth adult and caterpillar large format photographs] *[http://www.wormspit.com/polyphemus.htm Picture journal of polyphemus developments] *[http://www.kiva.net/~daylight/moth.html How to rear Saturniid moths] *[http://www3.islandtelecom.com/~oehlkew/zpolmoth.htm The Polyphemus moth] ==References== {{cite web | author=Brands, S. J. | title= Antheraea polyphemus | work=Systema Naturae 2000 | url=http://www.taxonomicon.net/| accessdate=September 30| accessyear=2005 }} [[Category:Antheraea]] [[fr:Polyphème d'Amérique]] [[nl:Antheraea polyphemus]] [[no:Antheraea polyphemus]]