National Moth Week: Io Moth (Automeris io)
Adult Io Moth with wings spread to show eyespots. iNaturalist observation by ceharlan CC BY-NC 4.0 When a kid, I learned a bit about mythology through my Golden Guides on insects, butterflies, and moths. These small, battered reference books went with me most every time I explored the fields and woods around my house, and they helped instill a lifelong interest in entomology. Adult Io Moth with wings tucked in Miami-Dade County. iNaturalist observation by miaminaturegirl CC BY-NC 4.0 Why am I telling you this? Because that’s how I learned about the Io moth, a beauty named after a mythological Greek maiden, according to my trusty guide. However, according to subsequent research, Io was more than a simple maiden—she was a goddess, first priestess of Hera and wife of Zeus, god of thunder and lightning. That’s kind of a big deal. The Io moth is kind of a big deal, too, with its beautiful wing spots, attractive coloration, and wingspan up to more than 3 inche...