promethea moth

noun

pro·​me·​thea moth
prə|ˈmēthēə-,
prō|
variants or less commonly prometheus moth
-thēəs-,
-ˌth(y)üs-
: a large American saturniid silkworm moth (Callosamia promethea) having the wings and body chiefly smoky brown in the male and reddish brown in the female and a larva that feeds on sassafras, wild cherry, and other trees and suspends its cocoon from a branch by a silken band compare cecropia moth

Word History

Etymology

promethea from New Latin, from Latin, feminine of prometheus Promethean; prometheus from Greek Promētheus

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Cite this Entry

“Promethea moth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/promethea%20moth. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.

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