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Photo#193762
Found on the ground near Lake Washington in the middle of the day.  Sluggish. Hairy legs and beautiful marks - Antheraea polyphemus

Found on the ground near Lake Washington in the middle of the day. Sluggish. Hairy legs and beautiful marks - Antheraea polyphemus
Bellevue, King County, Washington, USA
June 23, 2008
Size: Size of my hand open
The moth blended in with the environment very well, and I almost accidentally stepped on it! I would like to learn its name, please. I moved it with a twig from a sidewalk to the wooded area next to the sidewalk. After retrieving my camera from the office, I was delighted to find the moth was still in the vicinity where it had been moved.

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Not an expert but please see Polyphemus Moth (Antheraea polyphemus).


 
Polyphemus Moth - Antheraea polyphemus
Yes, and this is a male of the species which have the large feathery antennae.

 
Common name?
Thank you!!!! Is there a common name? Are there any folklores about this beautiful moth? Is it common to the Seattle area?

 
"Polyphemus moth."
That 'is' the common name. This is 'the' most often encountered species of giant silkmoth in the Pacific Northwest, west of the Cascades, anyway. They probably are quite common, but the adult insects live for a very short time (they don't even have functional mouthparts, surviving on fat stored in the larval stage), and must quickly find mates. That is where those feathery antennae come in. The appendages are very good at detecting the minutest quantity of the female's pheromone, a species-specific sexual attractant chemical that she releases. Look for the larvae feeding on maple and other trees. They are incredibly cryptic for their size, though.

 
Thank you!
Thanks for the super speedy response to my curiosity. I have found a new friend in the woods where I work.

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