An insect resembling a muted butterfly with feather-like antenna rested on a Greater Victoria apartment building.
The polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus) is not uncommon in the region, but not always spotted in urban or concrete areas, away from its grazing grounds, explained Justin Dunning, living collections manager at Victoria Butterfly Gardens.
With a wingspan of about 150 millimetres, itB次元官网网址檚 the largest of three silk moths generally found in the region.
As larvae, they enjoy many a local feast on beech, birch, oak or willows. Transforming, the moths begin to emerge from cocoons in late May, with the female ready with mature eggs B次元官网网址� she just hangs around while the male puts his feathery antennae to use, seeking out female pheromones.
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By this stage, they cannot, and do not, eat. These moths live to procreate.
The male can mate several times in his five- to seven-day lifespan while the female spends its time mating once and then laying eggs.
The polyphemus is closely related to the giant atlas moths from the Philippines on display at Butterfly Gardens in Central Saanich. Similarly, they live about a week and donB次元官网网址檛 eat because they lack mouths in their adult forms.
The atlas (Attacus atlas) though is a fair bit larger than the locals at 240 mm and the tropical insect can stay in its cocoon for up to five years, though itB次元官网网址檚 not common.
Skipping a year isnB次元官网网址檛 uncommon, if they sense the weatherB次元官网网址檚 not right, theyB次元官网网址檒l wait.
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Aside from the polyphemus, two other common locals are cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia) at about 160 mm and the ceanothus moth (Hyalophora euryalus) at about 120 mm.
There are hundreds of species of moths, Dunning explained, and locally theyB次元官网网址檙e mostly good, aside from the tent or spongy. He recommends letting the good ones have their fill of foliage.
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Butterfly Gardens frequently turns away residents who inadvertently interrupt the natural process. Surprised that such an intricate creature is native, and thinking it must be an escapee, with the best of intent, residents will often capture a polyphemus or sphinx and try to B次元官网网址渞eturnB次元官网网址� it.
Dunning is among the many proponents of the iNaturalist app that allows citizen scientists to use their phone or camera to photograph and help identify plants and animals, categorized by location.
B次元官网网址淟eave it outside, itB次元官网网址檚 a native species,B次元官网网址� Dunning said. B次元官网网址淓njoy it, take your photos, show people, then put it where you found it because itB次元官网网址檚 in the realm of its host plant.B次元官网网址�
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c.vanreeuwyk@blackpress.ca
