We have large polyphemus moths, which I grew up calling Monarch Moths. We rarely see them, usually only after the bug zapper has been on overnight. Then we find them in the planters or on the siding the next morning. My daughter, however, had a rude awakening in the middle of night on the screen in the bathroom. She drowsily woke to use the washroom, turned the light on, and within a minute there was something large bonking on the screen trying to get in. Her first thought was a bear ( which is fair as we've had a sow and two cubs outside that window once) and she panicked. When she saw a giant moth the size of her hand, she reacted quickly and slammed the light off. The bashing stopped and them moth went away. She thought she was crazy as she'd never seen a moth that big before. I told her it was a Monarch Moth. She said that she and the moth agreed to part ways and she did everything she needed to do in the dark. hahahaha This is a juvenile. It's about the size of the palm of my hand. Their larva are big jelly bean juicy looking fat bright green caterpillars. They are prime eating for large birds, and unfortunately people squish them because they are scared of them. They create a real beauty though.
What a beauty. As a young man, I would get these confused with cecropia moths. Too bad there was no foto of its wings open. Their cocoons are impressive also.
You could be right Sjoerd. I have some older photos of ones on my planters I will try to find. Their wings are open. I think this one is a juvenile??? But perhaps it is a different species.
Oké Mel. I hope you have some. I am so curious about this now. I do think that the pics you showed are of a Polyphemus moth as you said.
