''Pachypasa otus'' is a moth of the family Lasiocampidae first described by Dru Drury in 1773. It is found in southern Europe (including Italy, the

Balkan The Balkans ( ), also known as the Balkan Peninsula, is a geographical area in southeastern Europe with various geographical and historical definitions. The region takes its name from the Balkan Mountains that stretch throughout the who ...

s, and Greece), Asia Minor, Armenia, Iraq, Iran and Israel. The wingspan is 36–45 mm. Adults are on wing from June to September. Recorded food plants include ''

Cupressus ''Cupressus'' is one of several genera of evergreen conifers within the family Cupressaceae that have the common name cypress; for the others, see cypress. It is considered a polyphyletic group. Based on genetic and morphological analysis, the ge ...

'', '' Juniperus'', '' Thuja occidentalis'' and '' Quercus pubescens''. It was the probable source for Roman ''

coa vestis Coa vestis is an ancient type of fabric named after its point of origin, the Greek island Kos. ''Coa vestis'' was made by the wild silk of '' Pachypasa otus'', a Mediterranean moth.

'', wild silk textiles from the isle of Kos.''Bombyx''
in

Merriam Webster Merriam-Webster, Inc. is an American company that publishes reference books and is especially known for its dictionaries. It is the oldest dictionary publisher in the United States. In 1831, George and Charles Merriam founded the company as G ...

Sources

* P.C.-Rougeot, P. Viette (1978). ''Guide des papillons nocturnes d'Europe et d'Afrique du Nord''. Delachaux et Niestlé (Lausanne). Lasiocampidae Moths of Europe Moths of Asia Lepidoptera of Israel Moths described in 1773 Taxa named by Dru Drury Silk {{Lasiocampidae-stub