Polyphemus Moth Emerges After 10 Months in Portland Backyard, Unfurling 6-Inch Wings
Updated
Updated · The Dodo · Jun 25
Polyphemus Moth Emerges After 10 Months in Portland Backyard, Unfurling 6-Inch Wings
2 articles · Updated · The Dodo · Jun 25
Summary
A polyphemus moth emerged in a Portland backyard after spending 10 months overwintering inside a cocoon attached to a planter.
Warm weather appears to have triggered the hatch: the caterpillar formed its cocoon in September and remained dormant through June, matching the species' cold-climate overwintering pattern.
Tiffany Garner, a professional gardener, had first found the finger-length neon green caterpillar after two girls placed it in her yard and later identified it with a species app.
The newly emerged moth—identified as a female by its short antennae—hung briefly in the yard, showing a roughly 6-inch wingspan before flying away.