polyphemus moth
- noun
- /ˌpɒlɪˈfiːməs mɔθ/
- US
:
polifemo
- I saw a polyphemus moth in the garden yesterday.
Examples
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The caterpillar of the polyphemus moth is known to feed on maple and oak trees.
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Many nature enthusiasts are thrilled to spot a polyphemus moth because of its impressive size and beautiful markings.
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We found a polyphemus moth resting on the porch, its eye-like spots glowing in the sunlight.
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The polyphemus moth is known for its striking eyespots.
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In late summer, I spotted a stunning polyphemus moth resting on a tree branch in my backyard.
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The polyphemus moth has striking eyespots on its hind wings, which help to deter predators.
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Children were excited to see a large polyphemus moth fluttering around the garden during their nature walk.
Synonyms
A very large North American moth with yellow-brown wings and big round eye marks on the back of its wings
A large North American moth with brown wings and big eye spots
Surface Forms
Morphology
This is a straightforward species name composed of the proper-name modifier 'Polyphemus' plus the noun 'moth', so the meaning 'a moth called Polyphemus (a particular large silkworm moth with eyespots)' is directly recoverable from the parts. The construction follows a common noun-noun naming pattern (type named by a specific label), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can understand the MWE.
Etymology
Polyphemus moth is named after Polyphemus, the 'one-eyed giant' from Greek stories. The moth has very large round spots on its hind wings that look like an 'eye', so people used Polyphemus's name to remind us of those eye-like markings.
