Second Antheraea polyphemus Eclosion

Our second polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus) has eclosed.

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We were right that more eclosions were soon to follow the one we had yesterday, but unfortunately, the individual is yet another very small, unhealthy one, though this time it is a male. It is slightly larger than the female yesterday and is probably still considered in the normal size range for this species at about 10 cm wingspan, though its pushing the limit. The male is very similar in appearance to the females, unlike some other Antheraea species in which the males are often red and the females yellow. It is definitely a little redder than the female, especially the underwings, but otherwise not much difference in coloration. The wing shape is quite noticeably different, however, as the forewings are narrower and more falcate which is characteristic of most male Saturniini and Attacini moths compared to their female counterparts. The abdomen is also a different shape, being long and slim, with a wire like clasper at the end. The antennae are much larger as well, with long pectinations. The forewing eyespots also look a bit smaller.

When disturbed, the moths fold up their legs, causing them to drop quickly to the ground. Upon landing, they spread their wings wide, revealing their eyespots and will continue "hopping" around with just their wings and no legs when touched, stubbornly refusing to crawl on your hand unlike moths that will tamely crawl where you want it to. 

Though we now have a set of female and male moths, we are doubtful of a pairing. Not even considering that this is a tricky species to pair in captivity without hand-pairing, both individuals are extremely small and weak, and thus pairing them would be difficult and would probably produce unhealthy offspring if at all. 

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Authors
Alan Liang

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