Polyphemus Moth Cocoon and Adult
The
polyphemus moth is one of our giant silk moths, with a 5 ½” wingspan and an
eyespot on each of its four wings. The
caterpillar, or larva, is bright green and quite fat, with red and silver spots
along its sides. When mature, the
caterpillar wraps itself in a leaf and spins a silk cocoon, about 1 ½”
long. Once inside the cocoon, the larva
pupates, and spends the winter as a pupa. In May the adult female moth emerges,
and after attracting a mate with her pheromones, mating takes place and eggs
are layed. Polyphemus moths live for
such a short time that they don’t even eat, and therefore have no mouth parts.
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