Giant Cecropia Moth

[blackmare]

Seriously big, and stunningly beautiful. I found this astonishing creature while out walking at dusk, and stopped in my tracks. The mosquitoes found me the moment I stopped moving, but I didn't care; I had to get photos. The wing span was fully the length of my hand, so close to 6.5 inches, or around 16 to 17 cm.

Comments

[calissa]

Impressive! What continent, if you don't mind me asking?

[blackmare]

North America! Saint Paul, Minnesota, to be exact. The species seems to range very widely in the U.S. and Canada, but I didn't see just how far south it goes.

[calissa]

Ah, thank you! It can be sometimes hard to tell in an international community. And I'm from Australia, so I didn't recognise the moth myself.

Also, thank you for sharing such stunning photographs!

[blackmare]

You're very welcome. I was just glad I could get any photos, as the daylight was fading fast.

The cecropia looks like it's a relative of your emperor gum moth in Australia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opodiphthera_eucalypti

Different coloring but otherwise so very similar, and they're both giant silkworm moths.

[calissa]

Oh, yes! I can see the resemblance! I've not seen an emperor gum moth around the local area. It might be mostly too cold for it here or it might be that I need to keep a closer look out. :)