io moth

i·o moth

I0220600 (ī′ō, ē′ō)n. A large yellowish or reddish-brown North American moth (Automeris io) having a prominent eyelike spot on each hind wing.

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[After Io, who was tormented by gadflies sent by Hera as a punishment (from the stinging spines of its larvae).]

Io moth

n (Animals) an American saturniid moth, Automeris io, bright yellow with a blue-and-pink eyelike spot on each of the hind wings [C19: after Io¹ (who was tormented by a gadfly), referring to the sting of the larva]

I′o moth`

n. a large North American moth, Automeris io, with an eyespot on each hind wing. [1865–70; after Io¹]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

io moth - large yellow American moth having a large eyelike spot on each hind wing; the larvae have stinging spinesAutomeris iosaturniid, saturniid moth - large brightly colored and usually tropical moth; larvae spin silken cocoonsAutomeris, genus Automeris - io moth