io2
(ˈaɪəʊ)
[mod.L., the specific name of the insect, a. Gr. Ἰώ, daughter of the river god Inachus.]
In full, io moth. A large yellow North American moth, Automeris io, distinguished by prominent ocelli on the hind wings.
| [1869 Canad. Entomologist II. 20 These caterpillars..proved to be the very familiar larvae of what is commonly known as the Io Emperor-moth.] 1870 Canada Farmer 15 Sept. 336/2 The beautiful, pale yellowish-green caterpillar..is the larva of the handsome Io-moth. 1873 C. V. Riley in 5th Ann. Rep. Missouri State Entom. 133 The Io Moth..is one of our most beautiful moths, receiving its name from two conspicuous eye-spots on the hind wings, in allusion to the ancient Greek heroine, Io. 1912 G. S. Porter Moths of Limberlost viii. 207 Mr. Eisen presented me with a pair of Hyperchiria Io... Because the Io was yellow, I wanted it. 1954 Borror & DeLong Introd. Study Insects i. 6 A few caterpillars, such as the saddleback and the larva of the io moth, have stinging hairs. |