Peacock Moth?
Location: Hamilton, Ohio U.S.A.
May 18, 2011 7:13 am
I found this beautiful moth hanging out on my sidewalk this spring. I live in Southwestern Ohio. A friend suggested that it was a peacock moth, but do these moths live in Ohio? The pictures I see online of peacock moths are not as colorful as this one. What is it?
Signature: L. Mills
Dear L. Mills,
This beautiful creature is a Polyphemus Moth and it appears to be winking. The eyespots on the underwings are an effective form of protective coloration. A predator might mistake this tasty morsel for a larger creature upon being startled by the sudden appearance of a large pair of eyes. The Polyphemus Moth has the greatest range of all of the Giant Silkmoths in North America.