Maine Counties

This distribution chart is a compilation of information from Paul Opler's Moths of North America Website, the Lepidopterists' Society Season Summary, Tuskes, Tuttle and Collins The Wild Silk Moths of North America and personal communication with many residents of Maine. See comments below the map.

Actual ranges may, in many cases, be more expansive than noted. There are some species indicated that may now be extirpated.

Clicking on a scientific name will take you to a file with pictures and/or information.

O Anisota senatoria O Anisota virginiensis O Citheronia sepulcralis O Dryocampa rubicunda O Eacles imperialis # Automeris io # Hemileuca maia # Hemileuca lucina X Callosamia promethea X Hyalophora cecropia X Hyalophora columbia + Actias luna + Antheraea polyphemus +++++++++++++++++++++++ O Anisota senatoria O Anisota virginiensis O Citheronia sepulcralis O Dryocampa rubicunda O Eacles imperialis # Automeris io # Hemileuca maia # Hemileuca lucina X Callosamia promethea X Hyalophora cecropia X Hyalophora columbia + Actias luna + Antheraea polyphemus

Tina Shute (Waldo County) confirms Antheraea polyphemus, July 6, 2003

Antheraea polyphemus male, Chebeague Island, Cumberland County, Maine,
July 13, 2015, confirmed by Mary Anne Shube.

Gloria Pierson reports an Actias luna caterpillar and subsequent cocoon from Wilton in Franklin County, August 19, 2003.

Don Adams reports a reared female Callosamia promethea, June 2, 2006, called in a wild male in Westport Island, Lincoln County.

Matthew Arey reports the following responding to a black light in Washington County (Addison and Columbia Falls and Harrington), July 3-8: Luna Moth (Actias luna) - 20 +; "Little Bear" Polyphemus Moth (A. polyphemus) - 30 +; Promethea Moth (C. promethea) 1 single female; Columbian Silk Moth (Hyalophora columbia) - 5 (4 females, 1 male); Rosy Maple Moth (D. rubicunda) - dozens.

Steve Lemieux reports an Actias luna, August 30, 2011, from Hinckley, Somerset County. It would seem this is a futile attempt to try a second brood.

Steve writes, September 2, 2011, "I have seen polyphemus and cecropias in both Kennebec and Somerset counties, but not the others. Polyphemus moths are very common around my house in July, but I tend to not see very many cecropias. It has actually been a couple of years since I've come across one. I'll be doing a "Moth Night" up at the museum in Hinckley next Friday. Along with tours of the moths and predators we'll have UV and visible light traps set up, as well as bait stations along our trail systems. With any luck we'll be able to turn up a few more surprises. I'll send you the results next weekend!

"Dryocampa rubicunda is very common in Sidney (Kennebec County) as well, although I've never seen one in Hinckley (it's rare that I'm up there at night, most of the moths I see there were attracted to a street light and ended up resting on the building)."

Steve sends these beautiful images of a female luna and a male polyphemus from Kennebec County, May 25, 2012.

Actias luna female, Sidney, Kennebec County, Maine,
May 25, 2012, courtesy of Steve Lemieux.

Antheraea polyphemus male, Sidney, Kennebec County, Maine,
May 25, 2012, courtesy of Steve Lemieux.

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