Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012) | Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, GBIF, BOLD | Technical Description, Adults: Forbes (1923), Ferguson (1972), Tuskes et al. (1996) | Technical Description, Immature Stages: Forbes (1923), Ferguson (1972), Tuskes et al. (1996); Covell (1984), Wagner (2005) | |
Adult Markings: Adults are unmistakable: no other large moth in our area is pale green in color and has long "tails" on its hindwings. Spring individuals typically have narrow red or purplish bands along the outer margins of both wings. In summer individuals, these areas are yellowish. |
Wingspan: 100 mm (Forbes, 1923); 7.5 - 10.5 cm (Covell, 1984) |
Adult ID Requirements: Unmistakable and widely known. |
Immatures and Development: The large, lime-green larvae are also quite distinctive. Although similar to the larvae of the Polyphemus Moth (Antheraea polyphemus), they possess a light yellow lateral stripe that is missing in that species (see Wagner, 2005 for more details). |
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants. |