Polyphemus Moth

Arachnophobphile

Arachnoprince
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Pouring down rain tonight I spotted this moth flying in it. It landed for a bit so I took alot of photos but only two were presentable.

I'm pretty sure this is a polyphemus moth, Antheraea polyphemus.

IMG_20250420_215935674.jpg

IMG_20250420_215927758.jpg
 

Arachnophobphile

Arachnoprince
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Nice I haven’t seen a large moth in like 5 plus years here. I don’t know what happened to them.
It's been so many years since I've seen any large moths I can't remember how long it's been. Pollution and agriculture, (pesticides) could explain their population decline for a lot of it is my guess.

Gotta Like the 'Eye Spots' on the lower wings.
Nice Shots.
Yeah those are cool but have no effect against bats. It was pretty big like almost the size of my hand
 

Introvertebrate

Arachnoprince
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It's been so many years since I've seen any large moths I can't remember how long it's been. Pollution and agriculture, (pesticides) could explain their population decline for a lot of it is my guess.



Yeah those are cool but have no effect against bats. It was pretty big like almost the size of my hand
I see one every 5 years or so. Not that I actively look for them. It's so early in the season too. I guess the cocoons overwinter, and the moths emerge in the spring.
 

Arachnophobphile

Arachnoprince
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I see one every 5 years or so. Not that I actively look for them. It's so early in the season too. I guess the cocoons overwinter, and the moths emerge in the spring.
Another moth I haven't seen since the late 90's is the Luna moth. A truly magnificent moth to see in person but extremely rare nowadays.
 
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