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Giant Silk MothsThis insect in South Florida..
My sister in Punta Gorda, FL, took this picture of what we think is a moth. I have been unsuccessful in finding anything to identify it. Can you help??? Thanks,
Chris Rawstern
Hi Chris,
This is a female Io Moth, but sadly, the most distinctive identifying feature is hidden from view. This species has bold eyespots on the underwings which frighten predators when they are flashed, making the moth appear to be the face of a much larger creature. It is an excellent defense mechanism. Females have brown upper wings and the smaller male has yellow upper wings. There are some excellent images on BugGuide.
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