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Discover the polyphemus moth

FALLBROOK – The polyphemus moth, antheraea polyphemus, is a unique species of moth in the Saturniidae family. This moth is located in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It is named after the Greek cyclops Polyphemus because of the large, purple eyespots on its hindwings. These moths are commonly seen in early spring and early summer.

This moth has an average wingspan of 6 inches and its colors range from red to a dark brown. It is easy to differentiate the male and female moths because male polyphemus moths have extremely bushy antennae in order to detect the pheromones from females. Female polyphemus moths do not have bushy antennae, and they also have a larger abdomen for carrying eggs. Males can fly for miles in search of an unmated female.

The polyphemus moth's life cycle begins as a small brown egg, before hatching into a caterpillar. The caterpillars can molt four to five times, and they grow extremely quickly because of their appetites. The caterpillar can eat 86,000 times its weight in a little over two months. Then, the caterpillar will reach around 3-4 inches long, and it will spin its cocoon.

In early spring or late summer, the moth will emerge from the cocoon. Once they are in this stage, they will live for only a week because, as they age, their mouths get smaller and they are unable to eat or drink. The female will spend a majority of her time laying eggs, while the male can mate with multiple other females until the end of the life cycle.

These creatures have a unique way of protecting themselves from predators. Their large eyespots on the hindwings are used for camouflage. These eyespots are also known as distraction patterns, the brightly colored eyespots distract and startle the predators, which allow the moths to escape. However, not all predators can be scared off that easily.

Parasitic insects can also impact these moths because they lay their eggs on young caterpillars and they consume the insides of the caterpillar before killing it as the caterpillar pupates. The compsilura concinnata tachinid fly is a known predator to the polyphemus moth.

One way people can help conserve the polyphemus moth is by updating their garden and adding the caterpillar's host plants. These host plants include: birch trees, oak trees, willow trees, maple trees, and beech trees.

For anyone interested in learning more about the polyphemus moth, Wings of Change will be hosting three educational workshops focusing on the moth and its host plants. The first workshop will be online June 16 at 6 p.m. Then, there will be an in person workshop at 100 Main June 18 from 4-7 p.m., and the last workshop will be at the Fallbrook Community Garden, located at 1717 Alturas Rd, June 19 from 9-11 a.m. These workshops cost $10 per family, and they are kid friendly events. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the environment and how to help conserve this unique creature.

For more information, visit https://wingsofchange.us/product/june-workshop/.

Submitted by Wings of Change.

 

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