DISTRIBUTION:

Antheraea oculea (wing span 3 15/16 - 5 7/8 inches) closely resemble the widely distributed Antheraea polyphemus, but oculea occur only in the Southwestern corner of New Mexico through the mountains of southern Arizona north to Flagstaff and the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. This subspecies/species has also been reported in Durango and Senora (JK), Mexico. There is good reason to believe the moth also flies in western Texas (Ft. Davis) as Mike Quinn sent a left forewing found in that area.

Antheraea oculea forewing found in Ft. Davis (Jeff Davis County), western Texas,
mid April, 2007, courtesy of Mike Quinn, id by Bill Oehlke.

Charles Bordelon writes regarding Texas populations, "Can be fairly common in the Chisos, Davis and Guadalupe Mts. (Brewster, Jeff Davis, and Culberson Co.'s respectively. We have specimens... Not just a pic of a FW.) At least Mar-Aug in TX."

Antheraea oculea male, Big Bend National Park, Brewster County, Texas,
March 7, 1997, courtesy/copyright of Charles Bordelon and Ed Knudson.

The adults are found in oak woodlands and mixed forests.

Oculea is best distinguished from polyphemus by the orange ring around each eyespot and extensive blue and black scaling on all wings. Polyphemus has a yellow ring around each eyespot and black scaling is much less pronounced. The submarginal black line of polyphemus is always trimmed by a distal pink line, while oculea have a significantly wider wider black submarginal line without the pink trim.

John Angelo Cencioso confirms Antheraea oculea from Flagstaff, Arizona (Coconino County), with this image of a female, taken on July 8, 2003.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS: This single-brooded (Texas data suggests two broods: March, August) species is on the wing from mid May through early August. Females come in to lights quite readily. In some years there may be a partial second brood. This resting female, courtesy of John Angelo Cencioso, Flagstaff, Arizona, visited lights on July 8, 2003 and has deposited some eggs. Larvae eat oaks and walnuts. Cailin Labar reports success rearing larvae on Norway maple, Acer platanoides, summer 2019.

Visit Antheraea oculea male and third and fifth instar larvae, courtesy of Leroy Simon.

Visit Antheraea oculea, Payson, Gila County, Arizona, courtesy of Reg Jensen, July 25, 2008.

Visit Antheraea oculea male, Yecora, Sonora, Mexico, 5200ft, May 14, 1995, courtesy of John Kamps (February 2010).

Visit Hybrids of A. polyphemus male x A. oculea female, and original source female of Antheraea oculea, courtesy of Rich Ashcraft.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Adults emerge from their cocoons in the afternoon, and mating takes place in late evening or early morning. Night flying females deposit eggs the following evening.

Antheraea oculea female, Guadelupe Mountains National Park, Culberson County, Texas,
May 12, 1991, courtesy/copyright of Charles Bordelon and Ed Knudson.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are deposited in clusters of 3 to 8 eggs on host plants. Relatively large cocoons are spun up among the leaves of the host plant. This is a relatively easy species to rear in captivity and larvae which are virtually indistinguishable from polyphemus in the final instar will accept most species of oak as well as plum and willow.

Antheraea polyphemus oculea fifth instar, Arizona, copyright protected, courtesy of Leroy Simon.

It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Acer platanoides Juglans major Quercus emoryi Quercus oblongifolia.....

Norway maple (CL) Arizona black walnut Emory oak Mexican blue oak

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