Family Saturniidae
rss large moth
Location: NE CT
May 26, 2011 6:02 am
My wife found this in the garage last night. Appx 4 inches wide and 4 inches long.
Signature: Kim & Tom
Luna Moth
Dear Kim & Tom,
Thanks for reporting that Luna Moth sightings have reached more northern states.
moth/caterpillar
Location: Southeast
May 21, 2011 8:11 pm
My husband and I found this moth/caterpillar in our front yard. I’ve never seen anything like it and can’t find any pictures resembling it on the internet. My pictures do not do it justice! It was bright (almost neon) orange and yellow and about 3 – 4 inches long. It never flew (extremely tiny wings), but just pulled its belly along the grass. The pictures were taken in Charlotte, NC on May 21, 2011 between 8:00 and 8:30pm.
Signature: Ryann
Newly Emerged Regal Moth
Dear Ryann,
Your impression that this moth was somewhat caterpillar-like can be easily explained. This is a newly metamorphosed Regal Moth or Royal Walnut Moth. Its wings have not yet expanded. The caterpillar, known as a Hickory Horned Devil, is the largest North American Caterpillar, and when it is ready to transform, it buries itself and forms a pupa. After overwintering, the adult emerges and crawls to the surface. You were fortunate enough to encounter this Regal Moth at that point in its transformation.
Mating Cecropia Moth
Location: North of Indianapolis
May 21, 2011 7:10 pm
Just a picture to add to your collections. Found in Indianapolis 5/20/11. Sooo pretty. I came to you to find out what they were 
Signature: Cynthia
Mating Cecropia Moths
Hi Cynthia,
Our Bug Love page hasn’t had a really sexy photo in a few months. Thanks for sending photos of this positively gorgeous amorous pair to add to our archives.
Mating Cecropia Moths
Peacock Moth?
Location: Hamilton, Ohio U.S.A.
May 18, 2011 7:13 am
I found this beautiful moth hanging out on my sidewalk this spring. I live in Southwestern Ohio. A friend suggested that it was a peacock moth, but do these moths live in Ohio? The pictures I see online of peacock moths are not as colorful as this one. What is it?
Signature: L. Mills
Polyphemus Moth
Dear L. Mills,
This beautiful creature is a Polyphemus Moth and it appears to be winking. The eyespots on the underwings are an effective form of protective coloration. A predator might mistake this tasty morsel for a larger creature upon being startled by the sudden appearance of a large pair of eyes. The Polyphemus Moth has the greatest range of all of the Giant Silkmoths in North America.
Moth found in central Pa
Location: trout run pennsylvania cascade township
May 17, 2011 3:21 am
what is this thing. I have seen it 2 times both at night. It is dead now on the 2nd night.it has a big white body. I’m in a wooded area in north central Pennsylvania.
Signature: Ann Smith
Luna Moth
Dear Ann,
Each year we track the northward emergence of the Luna Moths, and your Pennsylvania encounter is the most northern sighting we have received thus far this year.
thank you dan. I watched this moth all night it was raining most of the Night and I honestly thought it was dying. It didn’t die .I went to see it around 6 am it was shaking alot .I checked on it all night and then at 6:15 am it was gone. If anyone gets a chance to see this luna moth they are very pretty in color. awesome sighting.
BIG green flying insect
Location: South, west Virginia
May 9, 2011 3:09 pm
Found this hanging on the porch the other night, HELP please should we move? Thank you, Tim
Signature: however you like
Luna Moth
Dear Tim,
This gorgeous creature is a Luna Moth and we have been tracking the emergence of Luna Moths in the more northern latitudes as the weather warms and spring conditions come to the higher latitudes. There is no need to move. The Luna Moth is perfectly harmless.
Big green moth/butterfly
Location: Southeast Iowa
May 8, 2011 9:53 am
Found this on my shed this morning. About 4×4 inches, bright green. Can you tell me what it is? Just lovely!
Signature: shaylyn
Luna Moth
Dear Shaylyn,
You have been lucky enough to encounter a Luna Moth, a species unlikely to be confused with any other North American moth.
Since I love butterflies and moths, this made my day! What a lovely thing! And in Iowa! I understand that’s a bit rare. Thanks for your reply, maybe I should have purchased a lottery ticket!
Sherry
Hi again Sherry,
Luna Moths seem to either be very common in parts of their range, or virtually absent. They require a habitat with needed food plants. They are represented on this Iowa State University Horticulture web page, and BugGuide does report other sightings from Iowa though that does appear to be the most westerly range at your latitude. There are more southern sightings as far west as Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.
Moth
Location: Gatlinburg, TN
May 7, 2011 8:16 am
Picture taken in Gatlinburg, TN near the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in late April. I think it is a tulip tree moth, but not sure. Thanks for your help!
Signature: Christine Varner
Tulip Tree Silkmoth
Dear Christine,
We agree with your assessment that this is a Tulip Tree Silkmoth, Callosamia angulifera, and we would add that it is a female. According to BugGuide: “Males are brown centrally, females yellowish brown. On females the angular white spots are largest on the forewings.”
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