The promethea moth is somewhat smaller than the cecropia or polyphemus. It is about the size of a monarch. It is indigenous to North America, particularly the east. The adults exhibit sexual dimorphism, meaning that the male and females have very different appearances.
Click on any of the thumbnails to get a larger picture.
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Prometh larva hang their cocoons by a tread attached to the branch of a tree. When the adults emerge they are usually found hanging on the cocoons to let their wings dry. To the right is a picture of first instar promethea larva. | 
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The male adult promethea has mostly black wings with a patterned border. The black on the wings appear purplish when the light hits them at different angles. | 
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The wings of the female adult promethea are more patterned than the male, and have much more red-brown in them. |
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Two more views of a promethea female. | 
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Address questions or comments to: Scott Henninger, scotth#cse.unl.edu (to prevent automated SPAM systems, I have replaced the normal '@' symbol - just put it back in to send a message)