this all began about a year ago, when my friend and moth hunting partner, tim, discovered an Anna Tiger Moth outside his house one night. fascinated by the beauty of the creature, he became intrigued about what else might be 'out there' if one would just take the time and effort to look. it didn't take long at all for me to get on board, already being very much into butterflies. after doing some research, and learning about the large moths called Giant Silk Moths, it became our mission to find every Giant Silk Moth species possible in our local area. with the discovery of our first Tulip Tree Silk Moth, in may of 2008, i was hooked on moths for life. butterflies were still fun and pretty, but moths were mysterious, and the giant ones nearly defied the imagination.
after a year of much trial and error, and research as well, tim and i have finally had much success in our moth hunts, beginning with the discovery of my long dreamed-of and seemingly rare (but truly abundant) Luna Moth. here is a look back at some examples of our most interesting finds, as a preface to what will hopefully be an updated journal of every moth hunt from here on:
an example of the first giant silk moth species we found back in may 2008, a male Tulip Tree, this specific one being found on 5-19-09
finally, our first sighting of a female Tulip Tree on 5-22-09
the legendary, much hoped-for Luna Moth, the second we found, a female on 5-10-09
a lovely male Luna Moth, on 5-12-09
an enormous female Polyphemus, on 5-13-09
side view of a male Polyphemus, on 5-20-09
the same male Polyphemus displaying his eyespots, on 5-20-09
a crazy-perched Abbott's Sphinx, on 5-10-09
a lovely Azalea Sphinx, on 5-12-09
an intensely colored Small-Eyed Sphinx, on 5-12-09
a creamy, yellow male Io Moth, on 6-16-09
at first glance, tim thought he saw a Polyphemus on a streetlight pole. i gathered my camera and got out of the car to go look, and when he shined the flashlight on the moth, revealing bright red-orange colors, i froze, stunned, but managed to utter breathlessly, "Cecropia!! That's Cecropia!" it was a most electric shock, to see something so unexpected; i know i shed a few happy tears of astonishment at such a gorgeous creature. the moth was an impressive female, with a 7.5 inch wingspan, a splendid example of north america's largest moth. 6-16-09
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