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The polyphemus moth (''Antheraea polyphemus'') is a North American member of the family Saturniidae, the giant silk moths. It is a tan-colored moth, with an average wingspan of 15 cm (6 in). The most notable feature of the moth is its large, purplish eyespots on its two hind wings. The eye spots give it its name – from the Greek myth of the Cyclops Polyphemus. The species is widespread in continental North America, with local populations found throughout subarctic Canada and the United States. The caterpillar can eat 86,000 times its weight at emergence in a little less than two months. ==Lifecycle== The lifecycle of the moth is much like that of any other Saturniidae species. It lays flat, light-brown eggs on the leaves of a number of host plants, including: *''Betula'', (birch) *''Salix'', (willow) *''Quercus'', (oak) *''Acer'', (maple) *''Carya'', (hickory) *''Fagus'', (beech) *''Gleditsia triacanthos'', (honey locust) *''Juglans'', (walnut) *''Pyrus'', (pear and quince) *''Prunus'', (plum, peach, apricot, cherry, etc.) *''Sassafras'' *''Citrus'', (orange, grapefruits, lemons, limes, etc.) *''Ulmus americana'', (American elm) When the eggs hatch, small yellow caterpillars emerge. As the caterpillars age, they molt five times (the fifth being into a pupa). Each instar is slightly different, but on their fifth and final instar, they become a bright green color with silver spots on their sides. They feed heavily on their host plant and can grow up to 3–4 in long. They then spin cocoons of brown silk, usually wrapped in leaves of the host plant. Two broods generally hatch each year throughout the United States, one in early spring and one in late summer. The moths eclose and then must pump their wings with fluid (hemolymph) to extend them. The females emit pheromones, which the male can detect through his large, plumose antennae. Males can fly for miles to reach a female. After the moths mate, the female spends the majority of the remainder of her life laying eggs, while the male may mate several more times. Adults of this family of moths have vestigial mouths, meaning their mouth parts have been reduced. Because of this, they do not eat and only live as adults for less than one week. In captivity, this moth is much more difficult to breed than other American saturnids such as the cecropia, promethean, or luna. Kept in a cage, the male and female tend to ignore each other, unless a food plant (particularly oak leaves) is present. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Antheraea polyphemus」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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