Video Doctor's Web Site-Lepidoptera-Actias Luna

Polyphemus Moth (Antheraea polyphemus) Lifecycle

The Polyphemus Moth was named after the one-eyed giant of Greek Mythology.
It is another impressive member of North America's Giant Silkworm Moth family.
The adult moths, like many others, do not eat or drink during their adult stage,
and as such, only live a few days. They emerge from their cocoons, fly to a female,
mate, fly to several host plants distributing their eggs, and then die, leaving the eggs
to their own devices for survival and another generation.

This page documents our past attempt at breeding a female Polyphemus Moth
(Antheraea polyphemus) from a locally collected cocoon. It was our hope that
she would atract a male and breed, so that we might raise and release the
offspring in order to increase their numbers locally.

We started with a locally collected cocoon in 2002. After waiting for many months,
she finally eclosed. She was placed outside in the same location as the Luna for several
nights, but attracted no males that we were aware of. She then proceeded to lay eggs
and die, even though no males were apparently left in our area for her to mate with.

Click pictures for larger version in a pop-up window - close when through.

Polyphemus Eclosed This is a female polyphemus freshly emerged from her cocoon.
Wings Completed Here you see the moth has completed the task of expanding her wings, and is now awaiting the nighttime hours.
Ready to Fly! Notice the small antennae, which indicate that this moth is a female.
Unfertile Eggs... After several nights outside, this female attracted no males. She proceeded to lay her sterile eggs and die. She never made any attempt to fly.