Io moth

Very docile, once they settled down. Tended to drop to the ground if disturbed (perhaps a defense mechanism against bats?), but happy to perch on a finger. They expose the hindwings, which look like an owl, to startle potential predators. Picked this one up and placed on this leaf for a nice photo op. Wingspan 8 cm.

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

Explore this photo titled Io Moth by Bob Jensen (@dynastesgranti) on 500px

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.)

A gouache painting of the gorgeous and mystical IO moth.

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.

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…