Species Antheraea oculea - Western Polyphemus Moth - Hodges#7757.1

7757.1

Oculea Silkmoth

Antheraea oculea (Neumoegen, 1883)

Telea oculea Neumoegen, 1883

Antheraea polyphemus oculea Ferguson, 1972

Distinction from A. polyphemus as a regional subspecies versus species is debated.

Oculea is from Latin for "eyed".

Forewing length 7-8 cm. (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 (2)

Arizona to western Texas. (3)

The main flight period is May to December. (3)

Caterpillars feed on leaves of oaks and walnuts.

Antheraea polyphemus

Ferguson, D.C., 1972. The Moths of America North of Mexico, Fascicle 20.2b. The Wedge Entomological Research Foundation, p. 204, pl.15.1-2. (4)

Powell, J.A. & P.A. Opler, 2009. Moths of Western North America. University of California Press. pl.37, fig. 11; p.241. (1)