Subject: Large Moth
Location: Austin, Texas
April 8, 2015 3:44 pm
We have a moth that we found on the outside of our house near our light. It leaves every night and returns the next day, and has been for a couple days now. It is quite large relative to the moths we usually see. It is about the size of my fist when the moth is closed like in the picture, maybe even a little bigger. Do you know what kind it is and why it keeps returning to our house?
Signature: Jamie Dawson
Dear Jamie,
This Polyphemus Moth is most likely being attracted to your light. Polyphemus Moths do not feed as adults and only live a few days, long enough to mate, so your nightly visits by this individual will end soon.