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.
Joel Szmyzcyk reports cecropia, luna, polyphemus and rubicunda from Jackson County, 2006.
Amanda Adkins reports Hyalophora cecropia adult on February 20, 2003 from Pace in Santa Rosa County.
Deanna L. Perry reports Antheraea polyphemus
in northwestern Florida, Escambia County, with the image of moth on
her son's hand, below:
Eric Hossler reports Callosamia securifera female on 30, April, in Walton Co., FL, about 15 miles east of Destin, FL, along Rt. 98.
Ryan Saint Laurent reports Citheronia sepulcralis with a distant shot of a larva feeding on Pinus clausa, Sand Pine, in Marion County, August 27, 2011.
Tyson Youts writes, "I have a close friend in Suwannee County Florida who regularly brings me these moths:
Actias Luna,
A. Polyphemus,
Dryocampa rubicunda,
Citheronia regalis and Eacles imperialis.
"His house has a Federal park on one side and a state park on the other. I have gotten these wild moths from him as late
as November. The dominant tree in the area is Sweetgum. The E. imperialis are highly variable from there.
I have not seen two that were identical in pattern. Since you track this, I though you might like to know."
David Joy confirms Eacles imperialis from Manatee County with image taken October 18, 2007. Based on the number of images I have received of this species, I suspect it is quite common throughout most of Florida.
Eacles imperialis, Manatee County, courtesy of David Joy.
"Snyderman" confirms (with images) Actias luna, Antheraea polyphemus and Automeris io at lights in Alachua County, mid March 2006.
Eric Anderson, Alachua County, (May 18, 2003) confirms Antheraea polyphemus as well as Citheronia regalis and Citheronia sepulcralis. He also reports finding Callosamia securifera cocoons in Marion County in Sweet Bay trees. Royce Crane reports, (May 23, 2003) "We have a lone polyphemus moth clinging to the patio screening. We are located in Seminole, (Pinellas County) Florida USA."
John Hunckler sent me these images of an Eacles imperialis larva taken on December 1, 2002 in Volusia County.
I also received an image of final instar Eacles imperialis larva observed August 1, 2003 in Sanford (Seminole County). People tend to encounter this species when larvae have left foliage and are crawling on ground looking for a place to pupate. The image below, sent to me by Heather, reveals the burgundy colouration taken on just prior to pupation. Heather remarks: " Attached is an image of a caterpillar I found coursing across our parking lot. It is huge, about 4 inches long and really fast."
Don Ehlen writes, "I can confirm polyphemus for Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach, 10 November 1996."
Deborah Heystek, Merritt Island Florida (Brevard County), confirms Eacles imperialis with larval image, September 21, 2003, seen "crawling around, late afternoon, in a mulched sitting area in Live Oak Hammock habitat with native plants as understory."
On January 30, 2004, in Palm Bay, Florida (Brevard County) a female polyphemus was observed at a laundramat by non-member Joan Molozaiy (even the moths have to wash their socks!), so it would appear this species is on the wing all months in Florida, and probably in south Texas too!
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On October 26, 2003, I received this image of an Automeris io larva from Otis Corbett, in Stuart, Florida.Stuart is in Martin County in southeastern Florida. I suspect this one is mature and will probably cocoon soon to emerge in November-December. |
On January 30, 2004, in Palm Bay, Florida (Brevard County) a female polyphemus was observed at a laundramat by non-member Joan Molozaiy (even the moths have to wash their socks!), so it would appear this species is on the wing all months in Florida, and probably in south Texas too!
Non-member, Judy Gelsey, sent me this image of an Anisota virginiensis male from Seminole County, Florida, September 18, 2005.Judy writes, "He's kinda furry and cute! Anyway, I found him as I was pulling weeds/grass in a bed with Lantana under an oak tree." Judy thought it might be Anisota stigma, but stigma males lack the hyaline area on the forewings and consularis are more orange with black dots. |
Many thanks to Taylor Jones who recently moved to Florida. Taylor always has his eyes open for Saturniidae and spotted this polyphemus cocoon on March 13, 2016, confirming for first time on WLSS a presence of that species in Lake County. I suspect Taylor will soon be able to confirm quite a few other species in Lake County that have been documented in neighbouring counties but remain unconfirmed for Lake County.
Antheraea polyphemus cocoon, Lake County, Florida,
March 13, 2016, courtesy of Taylor Jones.
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