Subject: What type of moth is this?
Geographic location of the bug: Northeast GA mountain foothills bordering Chattahoochee National Forest. Elevation about 1500’.
Date: 04/26/2019
Time: 01:02 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: I spotted this moth 4/25/19 on an outside wall of house not far from a nighttime security light. The edge of the retracted wings looked like a profile of a snake head or a fish head complete with an eye & scales. On the wing closer to the body there was a perfect replica of college football’s Texas Longhorn symbol, color & all. The body & feet looked like a hugely engorged giant tick.
How you want your letter signed: Thank you for identifying & providing any info on this moth, as well as it’s caterpillar stage, Steve.
Dear Steve,
We believe your Giant Silkmoth is a Tulip-Tree Silkmoth, Callosamia angulifera, based on this BugGuide image, though there are several closely related species that look similar that are also found in Georgia. BugGuide also has images of its caterpillar.