It depicts eye spots, which is one of its primary identification features. After a few days it made a cocoon. The top of the aquarium is enclosed with a screen or insect netting. They are unable to eat as adults, like most Saturniidae, and live their short lives just long enough to pair, lay eggs, and die. Male and female Promethea moths were allowed to mate in an empty 20 gallon (long) aquarium. They seem to like Oak Trees and we have plenty of those!! Thanks for the correction.Fungus Beetles and Pleasing Fungus Beetles We live in Glen Rose, TXWe were deceived by the low resolution of the image and the blending of the antennae into the rug.

They only live long enough to mate and lay eggs, surviving on nutrients stored while a ravenous caterpillar. But when they smell her, boy, do they know it, and they use her seductive musk to track her down. Differentiating between sexes of this species is very easy.

You can tell the difference between a male and female Polyphemus by the look of their antennae. I usually only find one at a time so this was a nice opportunity.Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.Jim Thorpe, Carbon County, Pennsylvania, USAThey come to lights on my porch and where my hubby works. I never see moths like these! Another difference is that the females are slightly larger in the abdomen due to carrying eggs. Female Polyphemus Moth. A few years ago some friends found a large Polyphemus moth caterpillar on the ground on one of our paths. Upon closer inspection, it is possible to the the plumose structure of the male’s antennae. The body surface is covered with scales. You can tell your Polyphemus Moth is a female because of the shape of her antennae. Note the comb-like feathery antennae of the male, which are nearly double the size of the female. I found a nice caterpillar of this species yesterday also.Giant Silkworm and Royal Moths (Saturniidae)Silkworm, Sphinx, and Royal Moths (Bombycoidea)Polyphemus Moth - Hodges#7757 (Antheraea polyphemus)Select your preferred way to display the comments and click 'Save settings' to activate your changes.They are stunning! Males have very bushy antennae while females have moderately less bushy antennae. Fertilization is internal. It is almost impossible to determine whether most caterpillars are male or female. You will receive a new password via e-mail.Hummingbird Moths, Sphinx Moths or Hawk MothsEighth Recipient of the Nasty Reader Award: Pink Inchworm The male's antennae are used to detect pheromones released by unmated females. Closeup of head. The tracking isn’t easy: Even after getting a whiff of a virgin female, the male still has to figure out in what direction she lies. Females, like the one shown in the photo at the top of the post, have smaller antennae. It is a member of the Saturniidae family, which is known to be the greatest silk moths. Mated female luna moths can be caged over a food plant on which she will deposit eggs. Polyphemus larvae have 5 life stages, or instars, it will go through before they spin their cocoon and transform into a moth. Males will have larger antennae than females. WildAntheraea polyphemus (Cramer) (Lepidoptera:Saturniidae) males were attracted to synthetic pheromone and to laboratory-reared females from 23∶00 (EDT) until dawn. All colors will fade in preserved specimens when exposed to light. Polyphemus moth is one of the largest moths, having a huge wingspan. Males, by contrast, have large feathery antennae, the better for picking up the scent of nearby females for mating. The name is because of the large eyespots in the middle of the hind wings. Females lay up to 5 eggs singly or in groups of 2 or 3 on the underside of tree leaves. You have a gorgeous Polyphemus Moth (Antheraea polyphemus), and it does look like a female in the photo provided as they have thinner antennae than the male. A live female Promethea moth can be seen in the bottom of this bag along with her eggs. Difference between Male and Female Moths (Male Moth vs Female Moth) The body of the moth is divisible into head, thorax and abdomen. I was hoping a female would emerge, knowing that she would release pheromones, which would attract a male. I kept it over the winter, and in the spring, when it hatched, it turned out to be a female. Male Polyphemus Moth (Antheraea polyphemus). The are not as plumose or feathered as the antennae of the male Polyphemus Moth… the sexes are separate. Mating occurs that … Male moths fly miles to find love. Eggs are flat and round, cream to light tan in color on top with a brown outline, and are about 1.25 mm thick and 3 mm in diameter.