Family Saturniidae
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Bug Love
Can you tell my what kind of moth this is? Thanks From Lenox Michigan
Donna
Hi Donna,
What a beautiful image of mating Cecropia Moths. It is coming our way at the perfect time to designate it as the Bug of the Month for July 2008. We have received numerous images of Cecropia Moths this year, but none as lovely as yours. Cecropia Moths are Giant Silk Moths and they do not eat as adults. Their sole task is to mate and reproduce.
Imperial moth, caterpillar, and pupae pics
I could not find this big girl on the site about 9 months ago, so I took her in and helped her complete her lifecycle. I figured these would be good pics for the website. She came out beautiful and full of eggs. The cercaria label was my old hunch….guess i was wrong….HA
Dr. Coleman
Hi Dr. Coleman,
We are thrilled to have gotten your Imperial Moth Metamorphosis series. We have numerous photos of Imperial Moth Caterpillars on our site, and we also have numerous adult moth images, filed on our Saturnid Moth pages of Giant Silk Moths. Your submission neatly places most of the life cycle in one concise letter. Thanks again.
Hello! I am hoping you can help me identify this pretty moth. We are in the South Central mountains of Idaho, on a small prairie a mile high.
Thank you!
Tracy Stampke
Hi Tracy,
Your moth is a Columbia Silk Moth, Hyalophora columbia. BugGuide lists sightings in most parts of the U.S. excluding the south. It has several relatives in the same genus. The Ceanothus Silk Moth is found along the Pacific states, and the Cecropia moth if found throughout the east.
what is this bug?
I was thinking that this was a moth but it closes its wings. So does it mean that it is a butterfly? Thanks for any help.
This is a Rosy Maple Moth. The wing position is actually typical of moths. It is a generalization, but most butterflies fold their wings together over their backs when resting, while moths rest with wings spread apart. There are many exceptions to this generalization.
Moth or Butterfly in WI
Hi: This beautiful creature was drying it’s wings (or so I’m guessing) by hanging upside down on our garage door trim this morning. It’s beautiful. I’m unable to find it in my field guide — I’m thinking that it is probably a moth instead of a butterfly because it has such a plump, furry body. I’ve attached several pics that I took this morning. Just would really like to know what it is. Any help you can provide in identifying this beautiful creature would be most appreciated. Thanks!
Ann in WI
Hi Ann,
This is a Cecropia Moth. We have identified so many specimens in the past week, we think it is time to post another photo, and yours is just perfect.
Moth ID
Dear "Bugman",
Can you help with the ID of this nicely scary-"eyed" moth? We live in rural SE lower Michigan, about 30 miles west of Ann Arbor. Thanks,
Judy Gray
Hi Judy,
Many Sphinx Moths and Saturnid Moths, including your male Io Moth, have eyespots on the underwings that startle predators.
Moth Identification Help
Hello, I found your site tonight after seeing an unusual (what I assume to be a moth) bug that sparked my interest and I hope you can help me since my research turned up nothing and I am still curious. It was found outside under my porch light at about 11pm in Alpharetta, Ga. Thanks,
Jon
Hi Jon,
This is a Royal Walnut Moth or Regal Moth. Perhaps, come September, you will be lucky enough to see its amazing caterpillar, the Hickory Horned Devil.
mating Luna Moths
Hello again! I saw these beauties outside today, in Nottingham, Pa. I have seen many lunas over the years, and even found an egg case, but never have seen 2 mating. I hope this means more moths for me in near future. Enjoy,
Lee Weber
Hi Lee,
Thanks so much for sending the most romantic photo we have seen in a long time.
butterfly, moth, what is it?
Hello,
Last night we had a visitor on the porch and this morning two. I have been trying to figure out what they are all day so I can share with my 9 year old daughter who is very curious about them. We have figured out that they are male and female. Could you tell me what they are and a bit about them please? Thank you,
Kelli
Hi Kelli,
These are mating Polyphemus Moths. The male is the one on the left with the large feathery antennae, the better to sense his mate’s pheromones. The female is the one on the right with the bulkier body, the better to lay 100s of eggs. The Polyphemus Moth has a large pair of “eyespots” on the underwings to startle birds into thinking they are a threatening creature. The Polyphemus Moth was named for the legendary cyclops Polyphemus, a one eyed giant, in Homer’s Odyssey.
Luna Moth???
could you tell me what this is ? seen one flying around and thought it might be the same kind as my cocoon. Hey I found this cocoon the other week and beleive it is a luna moth after visiting your website. It did have a little whole in the cocoon , so i decided to open it a little and see if the bugger was still alive , Sure he was . moves around once in abit. The reason i am e-mailing you is because one of the moths on your site was found on oHio , which you had mentioned was pretty far north. Well i live in the Northern Panhandle of idaho , about 5 miles from canada and in 24 years of living here , i have never found something like this. How long do they usually take to hatch ? going on two weeks now , but its been very cool outside and even inside. any info wold be greatly appreciated . Thank you
This is a Ceanothus Silk Moth, probably the same as your cocoon.
Time for Luna Moths in Muskoka
Found this Luna Moth today (June 6) hanging from a hosta leaf in our garden under a white birch tree. The discarded cocoon was a few inches away from the stem of the hosta. Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada Bye now,
Barbara Taylor
Hi Barbara,
We have gotten many nice Luna Moth photos since our last posting on May 16, but we have been holding out for a northern sighting. Your Canadian specimen is our northernmost siting thusfar this year. Your lady looks to be full of eggs and we hope she has an opportunity to mate.
Moth found at Fort Campbell TN
can you tell me what kind of moth this is?
Denise
hi Denise,
This is a Royal Walnut Moth or Regal Moth whose caterpillar is the striking looking Hickory Horned Devil.
