Western Polyphemus Moth - Hodges#7757.1
Antheraea oculea
This record describes Antheraea oculea (species). Recorded family: Saturniidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Larva very similar to A. polyphemus . Adults are also similar to A. polyphemus , but darker and with more markings around the eye spots. Upperside of wings is tan, sometimes with a yellowish or reddish tint. Forewing margin is the same color as the basal area; submarginal line is black. Rings around the eyespots are orange, blue, and black. Underside has contrasting rust, brown, and white markings. - Butterflies and Moths of North America
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Bombycoidea
- Family
- Saturniidae (Giant Silkworm and Royal Moths)
- Subfamily
- Saturniinae
- Tribe
- Saturniini
- Genus
- Antheraea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Arizona to western Texas. ( 3 )
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period is May to December. ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Caterpillars feed on leaves of oaks and walnuts.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Oculea is from Latin for "eyed".
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Antheraea oculea. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Western Polyphemus Moth - Hodges#7757.1 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Hannah Nendick-Mason; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman , David Ferguson , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Western Polyphemus Moth - Hodges#7757.1
What is Western Polyphemus Moth - Hodges#7757.1?
Western Polyphemus Moth - Hodges#7757.1 (Antheraea oculea) is a species in the family Saturniidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Western Polyphemus Moth - Hodges#7757.1?
Forewing length 7-8 cm.
How do you identify Western Polyphemus Moth - Hodges#7757.1?
Larva very similar to A. polyphemus . Adults are also similar to A. polyphemus , but darker and with more markings around the eye spots. Upperside of wings is tan, sometimes with a yellowish or reddish tint. Forewing margin is the same color as the basal area; submarginal line is black. Rings around the eyespots are orange, blue, and black. Underside has contrasting rust, brown, and white markings. - Butterflies and Moths of North America
Where is Western Polyphemus Moth - Hodges#7757.1 found?
Range: Arizona to western Texas. ( 3 )
What does Western Polyphemus Moth - Hodges#7757.1 eat?
The diet of the Western Polyphemus Moth - Hodges#7757.1 includes Caterpillars feed on leaves of oaks and walnuts..
When is Western Polyphemus Moth - Hodges#7757.1 active?
Western Polyphemus Moth - Hodges#7757.1: seasonal activity - The main flight period is May to December. ( 3 ).