The Io Moth is a medium-sized silkmoth with cryptic yellow-brown forewings that conceal brilliant hindwings bearing large, staring eyespots of blue, black, and yellow — flashed suddenly at predators. Males are bright yellow with reddish-brown bars while females are more reddish-brown. The gregarious caterpillar bears sharp, stinging green spines that cause intense skin irritation on contact.
Best time to see a Io Moth
The best time to see a Io Moth is April–July, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 25,049 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Io Moth? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Io Moth sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted an Io Moth?
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