The Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus) is the most widely distributed of the giant silk moths in North America ... Their only point in life from here on out is to mate and lay eggs.

The tribal collectors initially boiled the cocoons as they were shown to do. But Father Das said many of them told him that they realized their greed was destroying the natural life cycle of silk ...

They can see live adult moths, examine silkworm cocoons, learn about the insect's life cycle from knowledgeable docents, and watch a video on the silk-making process. Legend has it that silk was ...

It turns out the moth is a giant silk moth, or a Cecropia moth, which is about 15 cm wide and furry. Even if it wanted to bite Gear, it couldn't -- the moth doesn't have a functional mouth.

As moths and butterflies do, the promethea silk moth starts its life as a caterpillar. After feeding on the leaves of its host plants and breaking away from the group of feeding caterpillars ...