Polyphemus caterpillar

English

Etymology

Polyphemus +‎ caterpillar, by analogy with the Polyphemus moth.

Noun

Polyphemus caterpillar (plural Polyphemus caterpillars)

1. A large, green saturniid caterpillar with a red head; the larval form of the Polyphemus moth.
   • 2006, “Antheraea polyphemus – Polyphemus Moth”, in Prairie Haven‎^[1]:

     Polyphemus caterpillars can eat the leaves of many different trees and shrubs.

   • 2017 October 26, Edie Parnum, “Polyphemus Moths Live Near Me”, in Backyards for Nature‎^[2], Valley Forge Audubon Society:

     This summer I acquired two Polyphemus caterpillars at Mothapalooza, a nothing conference.

   • 2023 September 3, Cristina Garcia, “Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus)”, in Our Wild Yard‎^[3]:

     Polyphemus caterpillars feed on a variety of leaves.

   • (Can we date this quote?), “Polyphemus Silkmoth - Antheraea polyphemus”, in wormspit.com‎^[4]:

     Polyphemus caterpillars eat part or most of their eggshells before wandering off in search of food.

See also

• Category:Antheraea polyphemus (caterpillar) on Wikimedia Commons.Wikimedia Commons