Some exhibit realistic eye-like markings, whilst others have adapted the eyespots to form crescent moon or angular shapes or have lost their wing scales to create transparent windows.

They are medium to very large moths, with adult wingspans ranging from 7.5 to 15 cm, in some cases even more.

[2] The saturniine genera, approximately 169 in number, are divided into four major and one minor (Micragonini) tribes.

Adults in the Saturniinae typically live about 5–12 days and are mostly nocturnal, excluding males in four of the subfamilies.

They typically pass through five larval instars (excluding egg, pupa and adult), although some may have more.