The polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus), is a giant silk moth, with eyespots on its wings. The moth uses these spots to perform a distraction display to threaten predators, which essentially makes the insect appear larger and more threatening to whatever is trying to eat it. The moth gets its name from the Greek myth of the cyclops, Polyphemus.

Art by Fiona Pedrick

[Edited by Isabelle McDonald]

Reference:

Hall, D. W. (2012). Polyphemus Moth Antheraea polyphemus (Cramer) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Saturniidae: Saturniinae). EDIS, 2012(9). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-in945-2012