A New Friend

A new insect has just hatched at the nature center. This beautiful Io moth (Automeris io) emerged from her cocoon yesterday. We know that it is a female since she has thinner, unfeathered antennae.


Io moths get their name from greek mythology. To read Io's story, go to http://edweb.sdsu.edu/people/bdodge/scaffold/GG/zeusLover.html#Io



These beautiful moths have fake eyes on their hindwings. These help them hide from predators in plain sight. They look like the face of an owl and help to scare away larger animals that might want to eat them. One of these is the Screech Owl.

Their caterpillars hatch in the spring and make cocoons on the ground in the fall. They hibernate through winter and wake when spring's warmth can be felt. The cocoon of this moth was found during After School Nature Explorers last fall.

These moths have no mouths or proboscis, so they can't bite. Their only purpose is to mate and lay eggs. They die shortly afterwards. Hopefully, our little girl will have success in finding a mate. Good Luck!