I can't believe I have something to share!

[veritas_poet]

(If I can get it to post.)

I was in our front area and saw something out of the corner of my eye. I... thought it was a fake. A toy. I'm assuming it's a moth, but it's HUGE!

I thought it was alive. But I touched it a few times with a leaf and there was nothing. Anyone know what kind of moth this is? From wing tip to wing tip, it's nearly as wide as my hand! It was just sitting there on a leaf, looking as though it was posed. I was sad to see it was not moving. It seemed in good shape, so what happened to it?


Seriously, if this had been alive and flying at me or if I'd see it in the house you would've heard me screaming from wherever you are now. But this was so beautiful! 

I'm still not convinced it's dead. I hope it's gone when I wake up tomorrow. I would be happy to know it was okay. 

Comments

[leecetheartist]

It would help to know the rough region where you live. I'm reasonably sure that I don't see these in the South West of Australia.

[veritas_poet]

Ah, sorry. Chicago, IL. I've never seen anything nearly so huge here! If I'd seen it flying, I would've thought it was a bird.

[leecetheartist]

Could it be this?

https://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.asp?identification=Cecropia-Silk-Moth

[veritas_poet]

Yes, it seems that's what it is. Thanks, that was interesting to read. I've bookmarked the site in case I run into some other odd creature. Okay, now I feel all itchy. LOL! I am SO not a bug person! But this one captured my attention because I had no idea moths that big existed. (At least, not here.)

I'm glad I got a picture of it. I'm always too lazy to do that with anything. It was quite pretty. Made me sad to see it was dead.

[nightdog_barks]

Maybe a cecropia moth? North America's biggest moth! :D

[veritas_poet]

Oh, the picture on the right (2nd down) looks like it!

What strange creatures. And sad, as they only live about 2 weeks. Thanks. Now that I know they are around here, I won't be so shocked if one flies into me. I am not a fan of bugs of any kind, so I'm glad I came upon this one the way I did. If I'd seen it in the house, I would've been crying like a 5 year old. (Especially since I had no idea moths could get that big!) Seriously, I'm a coward when it comes to bugs. But this one was strangely pretty.

[nightdog_barks]

It is very pretty! I think it has lovely, subtle colors. And you got a GREAT shot of it! :-)

But I know what you mean about Giant Flying Bugs -- the biggest moths I've seen around here (North Central Texas) are sphinx moths, which are large, but nowhere near as huge as cecropias. They're still kind of creepy.

[veritas_poet]

I'm kinda proud of myself. Not screaming at bugs is a sure sign of adulting! (You'd think I'd mastered it by 50.)

[leecetheartist]

A lovely creature!

Some of the moths around here sit around so still as well, they don't move when disturbed, but will grudgingly crawl onto your hand if you put your finger under their head and push gently. It could just be resting.

[veritas_poet]

Alas, I went out first thing this morning and it was still there. Poor thing. I had hoped it would be gone.

[leecetheartist]

A sad, but lovely visit.

[peoriapeoriawhereart]

Well, it got to shuffle off with a pretty backdrop.

[yourlibrarian]

I can understand your shock but it's a great pic and, hey, I'm in Illinois too so I won't be so startled if I run across one :)

[veritas_poet]

Public service, FTW!

[redsixwing]

Giant silkmoth! <3 we have three species of these dudes where I live. They're spectacular.

Especially if you aren't a bug person, thanks for posting the photos. :D

[veritas_poet]

I'm glad people liked it. I'm in Chicago, so I don't have much wildlife/nature-y stuff to share.

[leecetheartist]

As you're in Chicago, you might be interested in Chicago Wildlife Watch - a citizen science project that utilises camera traps all over Chicago. It's part of the zooniverse project.

https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/zooniverse/chicago-wildlife-watch

[veritas_poet]

Oh, that's interesting! I will check it out. I also have a few friends who are into bird watching and other nature-y pursuits. I can let them know as well. Thanks!

[blackmare]

CECROPIA! They’re so huge, and so beautiful. <3 I’ve only once been fortunate enough to find one, and I was able to get it onto my hand, where its wings stretched from the heel of my palm all the way to my fingertips.

[veritas_poet]

Isn't it crazy? I had no idea moths could get that large. (At least here, in the city. Maybe in a forest somewhere.) I was going to say I'd never seen them before. But maybe I've seen them flying and just assumed they were small birds!