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saturniid moth
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saturniid moth Article

saturniid moth summary

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Below is the article summary. For the full article, see saturniid moth.
Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus)
Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus)

saturniid moth, or giant silkworm moth, Any of some 800 moth species of the principally tropical family Saturniidae. Adults have a stout, hairy body and broad wings, often vividly coloured and patterned. Most species have a central eyespot on each wing. Among the saturniids are the io moth (Automeris io); the giant cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), the largest moth native to North America, with a wingspan of 6 in. (15 cm); several species of Antheraea that are used as a source of commercial silk; the emperor moth (Saturnia pavonia); and the luna moth.