Skip to main content
Today is National Trails Day!
Close

Polyphemus moth caterpillar

Antheraea polyphemus

Photo by KarenL
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

35.8987, -86.9624

Reference Links:

Antheraea polyphemus

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (21)
KarenL
Haha Carol, yes it does!
KarenL
Ha ha, yes it does look a little strange from that perspective!
achmmad
First time, I was thinking its a flower!
KarenL
Thanks Ismael! Carol, mine are just over 2" long & quite heavy. Only 2 leaf in the tree now as one has vanished & I have another in a jar in the garage superglued to a stick (it fell off the tree onto the ground!0
Carol Snow Milne
I think I might have some cocoons of these. R they they really fat and heavy ones? I have about 3. Might get a net to go over them. I LOVE THESE PHOTOS! HA!
KarenL
Thanks Carol! I will do! We now have four fat cocoons in our maples so hopefully I will finally get to see the moth in the spring! I'm thinking of bringing one in & with luck I might even get to watch it emerge!
Carol Snow Milne
WOW! Looking thru your older stuff. This is one of your best series ever! And one of the best series I have seen on Noah so far! Great job!
KarenL
Emma, thanks for your lovely comment!
HemaShah
great work as always! :) It is difficult not to become attached !
KarenL
Thanks Christiane! I have become strangely attached to these little guys - I'm just hoping this one manages to survive predation & hopefully I will get to see a polyphemus moth at some stage!
KarenL
Today we are down to just one caterpillar. No sign of any cocoons so it looks like the others have fallen prey to hungry bluebirds.
textless
Thanks for the additional photos!
KarenL
I've added another photo to show how it uses it's front feet to grip. Today I found 4 of these guys all on the same small maple sapling we planted in the spring. There isn't much cover for them so they are likely to be picked off by the bluebirds or run out of food soon.
KarenL
Yes, he is a big fat juicy guy! He has hidden himself well in the leaves of one of my maples but I fear he will end up as one of my bluebirds' dinner! I'm almost tempted to bring him in & see if I can raise him.
textless
Great photo series... I think I may have seen one of these today (do they live in the west?), but it was in really poor condition. Anyway this one is lovely!

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Butterflies & Moths of the World
Mission
2011 Best Wildlife Photo
Mission
Moths of the World
Mission
Caterpillars and larvae of the World
Mission
Wildlife of Goose Creek

Tags

Photographed
PublishedOctober 2, 2011

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies