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Polyphemus moth
Antheraea polyphemus
Moth
Large tan giant silk moth (Saturniidae) named for the single large eyespot on each hindwing, with a wingspan of roughly 10-15 cm. The caterpillar is a broad generalist that feeds on the foliage of many native deciduous trees and shrubs, with oaks (Quercus), birches (Betula), willows (Salix), and maples (Acer) among its most-used hosts. Adults have vestigial, non-functional mouthparts and do not feed, living only about a week to mate and lay eggs, so the species depends entirely on larval host trees rather than nectar sources. Because the host range is so wide, a yard with native canopy and shrub layers can support local populations.
Conservation
Globally secure: NatureServe ranks the species G5 (Secure), reflecting its wide distribution and abundance. It is not federally listed in the United States. A documented threat is the introduced tachinid fly Compsilura concinnata, released to control spongy moth, which parasitizes Polyphemus caterpillars across the eastern United States; light pollution and habitat loss are additional pressures on this and related silk moths.
Plan for this species
Location-fit plant set for Chicago, IL: host and specialist plants first, then nectar, fruit, seed, foliage, and shelter plants that still fit the current and mid-century climate read.
6 essential relationships / 0 supporting plants
Host/specialist links: 6
Forage/pollination links: 0
Shelter links: 0
Relationship roles: 1
Black oak
Essential / Larval host plants
Polyphemus moth is a well-documented oak feeder. Oaks are the single most important native larval host genus for Lepidoptera in North America, so a black oak of any size supports a substantial share of the local caterpillar community - which is what feeds nesting songbirds.
Black willow
Essential / Larval host plants
Bur oak
Essential / Larval host plants
Chestnut oak
Essential / Larval host plants
Polyphemus moth is a documented oak feeder. Oaks are the most important native larval host genus for Lepidoptera in North America, so a chestnut oak on a ridge supports much of the caterpillar biomass available to nesting birds on ground that is otherwise thin on insect life.
Chinkapin oak
Essential / Larval host plants
Polyphemus moth is a documented oak feeder. Oaks are the most important native larval host genus for Lepidoptera in North America, and on a limestone site chinkapin oak may be the only large oak present to carry that role.
Eastern cottonwood
Essential / Larval host plants
Plants in the catalog
Larval host plants · 43
Polyphemus moth is a well-documented oak feeder. Oaks are the single most important native larval host genus for Lepidoptera in North America, so a black oak of any size supports a substantial share of the local caterpillar community - which is what feeds nesting songbirds.
Polyphemus moth is a documented oak feeder. Oaks are the most important native larval host genus for Lepidoptera in North America, so a chestnut oak on a ridge supports much of the caterpillar biomass available to nesting birds on ground that is otherwise thin on insect life.
Polyphemus moth is a documented oak feeder. Oaks are the most important native larval host genus for Lepidoptera in North America, and on a limestone site chinkapin oak may be the only large oak present to carry that role.
Range
Widespread across continental North America, occurring in every U.S. state except Arizona and Nevada and in most Canadian provinces. Two generations per year are typical across much of the United States (an early-spring and a late-summer flight), with a single generation in the north.
Sources & citations
Cite this page
Use this citation for the Plotwright wildlife record. Use the source cards below to explore the references that informed its taxonomy, range, conservation, host plants, foraging, and habitat.
Plotwright. (n.d.). Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus). Retrieved 2026, August 20, from https://plotwright.com/wildlife/polyphemus-moth
Sources used for this record
This record is compiled from the sources below.
BAMONA: Polyphemus moth
Species profile for continental range, brood timing, non-feeding adults, and broad host tree list.
MDC Field Guide: Polyphemus moth
State agency species account used for identification detail, larval and adult food, and life-cycle timing. Missouri-scoped, so it is not cited for continental range.
Wikipedia: Antheraea polyphemus
Corroborating reference for host range, eyespot identity, secure status, and parasitoid threat context.
GBIF: Antheraea polyphemus
GBIF returns an EXACT accepted hit for Antheraea polyphemus (Saturniidae) at usageKey 1866570.
iNaturalist: Antheraea polyphemus
iNaturalist taxon 47919 is the species Antheraea polyphemus, the polyphemus moth.