Polyphemus Moth
| Luna Moth | Columbia Silk
Moth | Cecropia Moth or Robin Moth
| Polyphemus Moth
(Antheraea polyphemus)
Wing-span: 10-15 cm
Range: Southern and central Manitoba (at least), usually
in forested areas. Common in Winnipeg and other cities.
Distinguishing features: Overall brown to beige colouring
with large, clear "eye-spots" on hind wing.
Host plants: Wide range of trees and shrubs including:
elm, ash, maple, willow and birch. Where paper birch is available
this seems to be a favourite food.
Caterpillar: Bright lime green, somewhat translucent
with a row of vertical silvery/yellow stripes down the side.
Grows to a length of about 7 cm and nearly 2 cm in width.
Cocoon: Oval shaped, usually spun with leaves in outer
layer, attached to shrub or tree branches. The silk is white.
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Polyphemus Moth | Luna Moth
| Columbia Silk Moth | Cecropia
Moth or Robin Moth
| Luna Moth (Actias
luna)
Wing-span: 8-12 cm
Range: Southern and central Manitoba (at least), usually
in forested areas.
Distinguishing features: Bright green coloration with
long "tails" on hind wings.
Host plants: Wide range of trees and shrubs including:
alder, willow, cherries (Prunus sp.) and birch. Paper birch
seems to be a favourite food.
Caterpillar: Bright lime green, somewhat translucent
with a row of pink or brown spots down the side and numerous
small bristles on top. Grows to a length of about 7 cm and nearly
2 cm in width.
Cocoon: Oval shaped, usually spun with leaves in outer
layer. The silk is light brown. Often falls to forest floor.
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Polyphemus Moth | Luna
Moth | Columbia Silk Moth | Cecropia Moth or
Robin Moth
| Columbia Silk moth (Hyalophora
columbia)
Wing-span: 8-10 cm
Range: Southern Manitoba, in forested areas.
Distinguishing features: Similar to the Cecropia, but
usually smaller and drabber in colour, lacking a red band in
the hind wing.
Host plants: Tamarack trees are a known host plant in
eastern North America. Eats a variety of trees and shurbs in
Manitoba including alders and birch.
Caterpillar: Dull waxy green, not translucent with rows
of orange, yellow or blue tubercles along the top and sides.
Grows to a length of about 7 cm and nearly 2 cm in width.
Cocoon: Spindle shaped, attached lengthwise to twigs
on shrub or tree branches. The silk is brown with prominent
silvery hairs.
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Polyphemus Moth | Luna
Moth | Columbia Silk Moth | Cecropia Moth
or Robin Moth | top
| Cecropia Moth or Robin Moth (Hyalophora
cecropia)
Wing-span: 11-15 cm
Range: Not widespread, but occurring in pockets of
habitat in Southern Manitoba.
Distinguishing features: Similar to the Columbia, but
usually larger and brighter in colour, with a definite red band
in the hind wing.
Host plants: Wide range of trees and shrubs including:
elm, ash, maple, willow, cherries (Prunus sp.) and birch.
Caterpillar: Dull waxy green, not translucent with rows
of orange, yellow or blue tubercles along the top and sides.
Grows to a length of about 9 cm and nearly 2.5 cm in width.
Cocoon: Spindle shaped, attached lengthwise to twigs
on shrub or tree branches. The silk is brown.
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