# Io Moth (*Automeris io*) The Io Moth is a big, fluffy moth with beautiful eyespots on its wings. It looks like a butterfly but is actually a moth! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 35 - **Habitat:** Forests and gardens - **Also known as:** Io Butterfly ![Io Moth](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426547/objects/5552.jpg) ## Appearance The Io Moth is known for its striking appearance. Males typically have bright yellow forewings, while females are more reddish-brown, both with small dark spots. Its most distinct feature is the pair of large, vivid blue-and-black eyespots on its hindwings, which resemble owl eyes when revealed. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Saturniidae - **Genus:** Automeris ## Interesting facts - Adult Io Moths don't eat anything! They live only a few days using energy from when they were caterpillars. - Io Moth caterpillars are "social" and live in groups when they are young, marching together on plants. - Some people call them "Peacock Moths" because their stunning eyespots resemble a peacock's feathers. - The male Io Moth is bright yellow, but the female is usually a reddish-brown color, they look very different! ## Special abilities - **Sudden Scare Show:** Io Moths can instantly flash their large, blue-centered eyespots on their hindwings to startle predators, making itself look like a much bigger animal. - **Spiky Stingers:** Io Moth caterpillars have venomous, barbed spines that deliver a painful sting to deter predators from eating them. - **Scented Signals:** Female Io Moths release invisible scent signals (pheromones) to attract males from miles away, ensuring they can find a mate. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 50-80 mm - **Size:** 25-35 mm - **Lifespan:** 5-10 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Caterpillars munch on many plant leaves; adult moths do not eat! - **Age differences:** Only the caterpillar stage eats, munching on leaves; adult moths do not feed. - **Primary Foods:** Willow leaves, Sassafras leaves, Hackberry leaves, Corn leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Black Willow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-willow) (*Salix nigra*) — Caterpillars munch on its leaves. - **Eats:** [Sassafras](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sassafras) (*Sassafras albidum*) — A favorite host plant for caterpillars. - **Eats:** [Corn](https://www.snappit.app/explore/corn) (*Zea mays*) — Caterpillars are sometimes found on corn plants. - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Birds sometimes eat its caterpillars. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Io Moth? Compare resting wing shape, forewing markings, antennae and body build. Small brown moths can hinge on fine details a phone photo can't always catch. Moth Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Io Moth's wingspan? 50-80 mm ### How big is Io Moth? 25-35 mm ### How long does Io Moth live? 5-10 days ### What does Io Moth eat? Caterpillars munch on many plant leaves; adult moths do not eat! ### Where is Io Moth usually found? Forests and gardens ### How does Io Moth hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Io Moth have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Burke Lake Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/burke-lake-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [East Wetumpka Commercial Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-wetumpka-commercial-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Foley Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/foley-downtown-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Heathcote Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/heathcote-botanical-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Hudson Falls Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hudson-falls-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [Kickapoo State Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kickapoo-state-recreation-area) — Illinois, US · State Park [View all places to see Io Moth](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/io-moth) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Io Moth: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/io-moth)