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

Cite this Entry

Style

“Promethea moth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/promethea%20moth. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation