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Polyphemus Moth (female)
Antheraea polyphemus
32.999, -117.026
Field Notes
Description:
"Large [over 100 mm wingspan], brown, with a small round eyespot near the middle of the forewing, and a huge round or elliptical eyespot near the middle of the hindwing. Males have much smaller bodies but much larger and more feathery antennae than do females. There is a lot of variability in this species." This moth was named after the Greek myth of Cyclops Polyphemus.
Habitat:
High School campus near chaparral and scrub oak. This species is found throughout the continental US and Canada except Newfoundland.
Notes:
This moth was collected from campus by a HS student and turned in to the Biology teacher. It had already laid its eggs based on its very sluggish behavior. The images were taken by one of my teen nature enthusiasts with an iPhone :)
Species ID Suggestions
Spotted for Missions
Photographed
PublishedApril 25, 2013
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