American Tropical Silkworm Moths


American tropical silkworm moths, family Oxytenidae, include 60 species, all Neotropical. Some specialists consider this family a subfamily of Saturniidae. The family is in the superfamily Bombycoidea (series Saturniiformes), in the section Cossina, subsection Bombycina, of the division Ditrysia. Adults medium size to large (45–98 mm wingspan), with head vertex somewhat roughened; haustellum developed; labial palpi very large; maxillary palpi absent; antennae bipectinate; body somewhat slender or robust but with hair-like scales.

Wings triangular with with falcate apex but sometimes rounded; hindwings somewhat angled and with short tails or sometimes rounded. Maculation mostly white with paired dark gray vertical striae and hindwings similar, but some species are dark brown with indistinct markings. Adults nocturnal. Larvae are leaf feeders; some mimic snakes. Host plants recorded in Rubiaceae.

Polyphemus Moth

Polyphemus Moth


American Swallowtail Moths
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