Moths of North Carolina
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362 NC Records

Antheraea polyphemus (Cramer, 1776) - Polyphemus Moth

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Bombycoidea Family: SaturniidaeSubfamily: SaturniinaeTribe: AttaciniP3 Number: 890070.00 MONA Number: 7757.00
Comments: The only member of its genus in the eastern United States (Antheraea oculea occurs in Arizona and New Mexico -- Tuskes et al., 1996)
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Forbes (1923), Ferguson (1972), Tuskes et al. (1996)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Forbes (1923), Ferguson (1972), Covell (1984), Tuskes et al. (1996), Wagner (2005)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Adults are unmistakable. With a wingspan of 4-6 inches, this is one of our largest native moths. Its yellowish-brown or tan color and large ellipical eyes-spots distinguish it from the similar-sized Cecropia Moth, which has red bands on its wings and body and has crescent-shaped discal spots.
Wingspan: 125 mm (Forbes, 1923)
Adult ID Requirements: Unmistakable and widely known.
Immatures and Development: The large green larvae are also quite distinctive. Although similar to those of the Luna Moth (Actias luna), they lack the lateral yellow stripe possessed by that species and have vertical yellow stripes located in the middle of the abdominal segments rather than in between (Ferguson, 1972, gives additional details). Cocoons are often encountered attached to trees or shrubs or fallen on the ground. Their thick ovoid shape is quite distinctive and can serve as the basis for site records for this species.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Occurs state-wide (Brimley, 1938)
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Immature Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Flight Comments: Appears to be single-brooded in the mountains but shows a distinctly bimodal flight pattern in the Coastal Plain and possibly the Piedmont
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Occurs in virtually all types of forests in the state, from maritime forests on the barrier islands (e.g., Fort Macon) to the high elevation forests of the mountains (e.g., Great Smoky Mountains National Park). It is also frequently encountered in wooded residential areas.
Larval Host Plants: Feeds on many species of hardwood trees and shrubs, but not on pines as has been previously reported (D. Schweitzer, pers. comm. to S. Hall). Brimley (1938) reported that it feeds primarily on elm and maple in North Carolina. Wagner (2005) stated that favored host plants include members of the birch, rose, and willow families (Wagner, 2005); Tuskes et al. (1996) also list oak as a favorite. Other commonly used host plants include ash, dogwood, hazel, and hickory (see Ferguson, 1972, for a more extensive list).
Observation Methods: Comes well to 15 watt UV lights and also to incandescent light to some extent. Adults do not feed and consequently are not attracted by bait. Larvae can be detected in low trees and shrubs through their droppings. Cocoons can often be found attached to low trees and shrubs. Larvae are easy to rear in captivity (see Tuskes et al., 1996).
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Hardwood Forests
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 [S5]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands
Comments: Populations are locally vulnerable to the effects of weather, outbreaks of disease, parasites, and predators, and to the effects of pesticides. However, given the commonness of their host plants, wide habitat range -- including suburban areas -- and statewide distribution, this species can easily recover from those losses and appears to be secure in the state for the foreseeable future. In the Northeast, this is one of the few species of Saturniid that appears to be increasing in number (Wagner, 2012).

 Photo Gallery for Antheraea polyphemus - Polyphemus Moth

160 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2023-09-25
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2023-09-15
Carteret Co.
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Recorded by: R. Newman on 2023-09-15
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2023-09-04
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: Stephen Dunn on 2023-09-04
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George on 2023-08-31
Chatham Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Dinkler on 2023-08-21
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Dinkler on 2023-08-21
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Rosanna Bonilla, Amber Williams, Michael P. Morales on 2023-08-11
Cumberland Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Rosanna Bonilla, Amber Williams, Michael P. Morales on 2023-08-11
Cumberland Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-08-02
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Owen McConnell on 2023-07-31
Graham Co.
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Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-31
Swain Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper, Becky Watkins on 2023-07-29
Swain Co.
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Recorded by: Z. Lloyd on 2023-07-26
Wayne Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: K. Bischof on 2023-07-05
Transylvania Co.
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Recorded by: K. Williams on 2023-06-20
Surry Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jennifer Lee on 2023-06-14
Lee Co.
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Recorded by: John Petranka on 2023-06-09
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-06-03
Orange Co.
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Recorded by: K. Haben on 2023-05-26
Gates Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2023-05-25
Wake Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-05-22
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2023-05-20
Wake Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Bo Sullivan on 2023-05-17
Richmond Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-05-12
Durham Co.
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Recorded by: David George, Jeff Niznik on 2023-05-12
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Richard Teper, Richard Stickney on 2023-05-06
Durham Co.
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Recorded by: J. Stark on 2023-04-23
Chatham Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Becky Watkins on 2023-03-25
Durham Co.
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