Terrifying Image of a ‘Winged Tarantula’ Freaks Out Social Media – Can You Guess What It Really Is?

A terrifying, squirm-inducing photo of a “tarantula with wings” has spooked social media as people try to figure out what it really is. This unsettling image, showing an insect that appears to be a huge winged tarantula, has been making the rounds online, frightening and fascinating people in equal measure.

The picture depicts what looks like a large spider with massive wings and two long feelers, perched on a red brick wall. It was posted last week to the Facebook page @stamamalon, a blog with over 2.8 million followers. The caption read: “Antheraea polyphemus, basically a tarantula with wings.”

This post quickly went viral, garnering over 58,000 shares and 22,000 comments. Many users reacted with disbelief and horror. One user wrote, “It was enough that cockroaches flew. Now I get this?” Another commented, “2020 can’t surprise us any more.” A third added, “The time has come to look for another planet.”

Despite its alarming appearance, the antheraea polyphemus is not a tarantula or any kind of spider. It is actually a type of giant silk moth native to North America, with populations spread throughout central Canada and the United States. These moths are tan-colored and have a typical wingspan of around 15 centimeters. Their most distinctive feature is the large purplish eyespots on each of their rear wings, one of which is visible in the Facebook picture. These eyespots give the species its name, polyphemus, after the cyclops from Greek mythology.

Importantly, these moths are entirely harmless to humans, despite their startling appearance. The social media frenzy over the photo showcases how easily a misleading image can spark widespread alarm and curiosity.

As for the location where the photo was taken, it remains a mystery. However, given the moth’s widespread presence across North America, it could have been captured anywhere within its extensive range. This incident serves as a reminder of the fascinating diversity of insects and the often surprising forms they can take, even if those forms initially give us a fright.