Io moth

The io moth (Automeris io) is an amazingly colored, nocturnal member of the family Saturniidae (silk moths). This is a widely recognized…

Io Moth (Automeris io)- Io moths belong to the family Saturniidae, also known as the Giant Silkworm Moths. This species uses the large eyespots on its hindwings to frighten predators. (Image source:...

io moth: male above & female below

This is the first of six IO Moths that I am raising to emerge from its cocoon. I had no idea how long it would take since I've never raised these before. He was just there when I went into my hobby room to check on other caterpillars and chrysalises.

Automeris io - Hodges #7746. Of all the moths that night, we just had two of the giant silkmoths, this, and a single Luna moth. (This Io was on the ground in the morning after being attracted to a lighted sheet.)

In an impressive array of shapes, sizes, and colors, these are just a few of the beautiful moth species that give butterflies a run for the money.

A gouache painting of the gorgeous and mystical IO moth.

Some years ago I came across 15 insect eggs on a plant. I did not know what species had laid them so I put them in an empty 5 gal fish tank and waited for them to hatch. That produced 13 little caterpillars. I managed to raise them and eventually they all formed cocoons and finally I watched the emergence of 13 Moths (7 females and 6 males) Turns out they were Automeris Io Moths. Before they all dispersed, I got these two on my hand for a photo shoot. The female is the reddish one on top…

Identify that fuzzy caterpillar you found with the help of this quick, easy, and authoritative guide, including pictures and descriptions of 20 caterpillars and moths.