Very unusual find identified.

[Monty]

I was out prospecting between thunderstorms yesterday and found this. Not what you would call a normal find but interesting to me non the less. Another of the advantages to getting out and metal detecting is being able to observe things you don't ordinarily pay attention to. It's called a Luna Moth and is of the silkworm variety. It's quite large, about the size of a post it note. Monty

 

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[Recruiter]

Great find Monty. You always seem to find something interesting there in Sand Springs.

 

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[nealb]

Nice Discovery, Monty.

 

[Swingit]

That is one beautiful bug

 

[Monty]

I saw the cocoon earlier in the week and wondered if it was some kind of moth. I saw him right after he emerged but didn't have my camera. Next day he was just a few inches from where he emerged and was all spread out like the pic. Then the next morning he was gone. I read where they only fly and mate in the dark. Then they lay their eggs and die. Their life cycle is only a few days after the moth stage. When I looked it up, there was a picture of their caterpillar that was a big fat green fellow. Monty

 

[ivan salis]

Mothra reborn---- reminds me the old japanese "monster" movies I watched as a kid. something vs whatever-----------

 

[thompy]

those are pretty cool, at my folks horse barn i see them and many other large moths, they are attracted to the type of light they have hanging

 

[detectordave]

Actually Double D, it's spelled Cecropia, so you weren't far off. Monty, what state are you in ?? Because this is REALLY early to see a Luna, it's actualy kinda spooky.

For more great bug pictures go check out "whatsthatbug.com" really cool site, with some great photos.

WOW! Once again I was close. I'm not as old as my kids tell me I am. Now If I could remember their darn names Id tell em so. Well, either way both kinds of moths were rare in my neighborhood in Mich. HH dave.

 

[Bluezman]

Nice to stop and smell the roses, isn't it?
Very thoughtfull of you to take a photo to share.

Removed erroneous link


Bluezman

 

[Paul in TN]

Those aren't moths those are Dragons, don't upset it or it will turn into a full size Dragon and eat you!!
Hmmmm, I think I have been playing to much WoW!!

Or watching Earagon.LOL
Paul

 

[DANGLANGLEY]

Is that the one that they show in the Lunesta sleep aid commercial?...Either way it's beautiful and I haven't seen one in years. Thanks for the post!

DANGLANGLEY

 

[Ray S ECenFL]

Gee, I have never seen one of those. At first I thought it was some kind of plant, but what do I know...

I really got an eduction today. Nice picture too.

Thanks for posting that, it was an enjoyable read.

 

[Monty]

My post is about a Luna Moth, someone else commented on the Cecropia Moth. When the Luna moth has its wings folded it looks just like a green leaf. Wings open it looks like it has two enormous eyes, thus fooling prey into thinking it is some kind of a big beast. Pretty cool camoflage huh? We have both kinds of moth here but you really have to look to find them. If old Luna had got onto a tree branch there's no way I would have seen him....uh her, how the heck to you sex a moth? Come on dirty minds, I don't mean sex that way! I know this bunch too well! Monty

 

[jon43]

My post is about a Luna Moth, someone else commented on the Cecropia Moth. When the Luna moth has its wings folded it looks just like a green leaf. Wings open it looks like it has two enormous eyes, thus fooling prey into thinking it is some kind of a big beast. Pretty cool camoflage huh? We have both kinds of moth here but you really have to look to find them. If old Luna had got onto a tree branch there's no way I would have seen him....uh her, how the heck to you sex a moth? Come on dirty minds, I don't mean sex that way! I know this bunch too well! Monty

nice pic of the moth monty. never seen one. there used to be alot of wild life, like toads and turtles around here but for some reason you do not see things like that in ky anymore. or the town were i live. i used to go frog gigging years ago but now its hard to find them in ponds and lakes.

 

[ivan salis]

frogs are a key critter when they go missing the habitat is suffering badly.----there have been outbeaks of frog diseases that have just about wiped out frogs in some areas.

 

[jon43]

frogs are a key critter when they go missing the habitat is suffering badly.----there have been outbeaks of frog diseases that have just about wiped out frogs in some areas.

your right about that and then people finding them with 3 or 4 legs and other things like that. im no al gore but some things wroung :P

 

[Michiganne]

Very cool moth, Monty. An unusual find, at least around here. We had one a few years ago on our house. It was the first time I had ever seen one. Thanks for sharing!

HH

 

[Monty]

I saw a program on TV a few years ago that blamed the decline of amphibians (frogs, toads, etc) on the increase of ultraviolet from the thinning of the ozone layers. Seems they can't take large doses of ultraviolet light. But I haven't seen or read anything about it since, so? Perhaps just a theory? I know we use to have bullfrogs at just about every little water hole but now you hardly ever see or hear one. I know they raise them commercially for their legs, but they are scarce in the wild. I miss their old loud croak along about dark around here. M nty

 

[Gribnitz]

The moth's are beautiful, but the worms are NASTY ! We call em tomato worms around here. They will strip a plant over night if you don't catch them right away and they are very hard to see because they camo so well on a tomato plant. The worms are as big and impressive as the moth. Big ole honkers that are 1/2 inch around and get 4 inches long with a big spike on the tail.

As far as bullfrogs...i have a pond and never had any bullfrogs. I have tons of the little frog guys, but haven't seen nor heard a bullfrog in 11 years out in that pond.

 

[Handyman]

Monty, the easiest way to tell the gender of a moth is to look at the antenna. If they are broad, it's a male, if narrow, it's a female. The females release a scent to attract a mate, and the larger antenna of the males help them to home in on the source.

Always knew that degree in entomology would come in handy some day.

 

[Monty]

I wonder if moths are like birds, the male being the most colorful? Come to think of it I guess mammals are the only animals that the male isn't the bright colored one? Well, except for a few exceptions in the genus homo saphien. Monty