Polyphemus moth
Antheraea polyphemus
Large tan giant silk moth (Saturniidae) named for the single large eyespot on each hindwing, with a wingspan of roughly 10-15 cm. The caterpillar is a broad generalist that feeds on the foliage of many native deciduous trees and shrubs, with oaks (Quercus), birches (Betula), willows (Salix), and maples (Acer) among its most-used hosts. Adults have vestigial, non-functional mouthparts and do not feed, living only about a week to mate and lay eggs, so the species depends entirely on larval host trees rather than nectar sources. Because the host range is so wide, a yard with native canopy and shrub layers can support local populations.
Conservation
Globally secure: NatureServe ranks the species G5 (Secure), reflecting its wide distribution and abundance. It is not federally listed in the United States. A documented threat is the introduced tachinid fly Compsilura concinnata, released to control spongy moth, which parasitizes Polyphemus caterpillars across the eastern United States; light pollution and habitat loss are additional pressures on this and related silk moths.