#automerisio

[coffeenuts]

Wings open by ScreaminScott https://flic.kr/p/2j2rjjy

[carnegiemuseumnaturalhistory]

Poisons of the Carnegie: Io Moth

Female Io moth

Male Io moth 

by Vanessa Verdecia

The Io moth (Automeris io) is in the subfamily Hemileucinae, which belongs in the family called Saturniidae—the Giant Silkworm Moths. Caterpillars in the hemileucine subfamily have urticating spines that are filled with poison. There are many different species in this group, some more toxic than others. 

The Io moth occurs here in Pennsylvania as well as other parts of the eastern United States. The last instar of the caterpillar is green and has a red and white stripe down the side as seen in the image below.

The caterpillar is covered in spines that can break off and embed themselves in one’s skin if it is handled. The broken spines cause an irritation on the skin that can last for some time after the sting. Seen above are pictures of the adult male and female moths from the Carnegie collection. The female moth has a wingspan of about 8 centimeters and is reddish-brown in appearance, while the male has yellow wings and is a little smaller. They both have eyespots on the hindwings which serve as a defense mechanism against predators, such as birds, that might confuse them for an animal looking back at them.

This summer is all about poison at Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Staff will be sharing fascinating pieces of our collection that are toxic, poisonous, or venomous to celebrate our summer blockbuster exhibition The Power of Poison. For more information about this highly interactive, family-friendly exhibition, visit pop.carnegiemnh.org.

[calosoma-amitch]

Io moth (Automeris io), Fishers Island, NY. The larvae are from August 2014. The adult is from  July 2015.  Although pretty, the caterpillars of the io moth are dangerous to touch, even young caterpillars such as these guys (mature caterpillars become green). The large spines that protrude from their back can cause a stinging sensation t the fingers, similar to stinging nettle. The adults, however, are harmless.  Caterpillars move and eat together when young, then disperse later in the summer. Usually two generations in the Mid-Atlantic. Feeds on many different trees, shrubs, legumes, and grasses (this one was feeding on black locust). 

[coffeenuts]

Partial Dorsal by ScreaminScott https://flic.kr/p/2j2oQF6

[thatsbaloney]

Io moth! #Iomoth #peacockmoth #Automerisio #mothstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/Cfo2iGNOmVc/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[trusteezprojects]

Io moth #3 in vintage wood block style frame! 👀 . . More Io moths! . . Io moth or peacock moth, is a colorful North American moth in the family Saturniidae. The io moth is also a member of the subfamily Hemileucinae. The name Io comes from Greek mythology in which Io was a mortal lover of Zeus. . Watercolor with colored pencil on watercolor paper in upcycled frame. . . #automerisio #iomoth #peacockmoth #saturniidae #mothsofinstagram #mothillustration #insectart #insectillustration #watercolor #etsyseller #etsy #trusteez #painting #framedart #artforsale (at Tucson, Arizona)

[gabrielleryan]

Beautiful Io moth #saturniidaemoth #moth #beautiful #Automerisio #insect #colorful #iomoth #nature #backyardwildlife #photography #insectphotography (at Cabot, Pennsylvania)

[somepinkflowers]

{{ #earlymorning #naturewalk #iomoth #caterpillar #iomothcaterpillar on my hurricane wind-damaged #nativeazalea #inmybackyard #staugustine #florida }} #somepinkflowers 🌸 #naturephotography #ilovenature 🐛🐛🐛 but #bemindful of touching a #iocaterpillar ‼️ #thiswillsting 😱 #automerisio 🐛 #lepidoptera 🐛 #lepidopterist ✌🏽😎🌸🌸🌸