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

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Agony and Death on a Gold Rush Steamer: The Disastrous Sinking of the Side-Wheeler Yankee Blade - Grab it through Amazon!

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Neat! Haven't seen one in years and years.

 

[detectordave]

Wow, Luna's are very rare. I remember as a kid finding Secropia moths <im sure that is a brutal spelling, but another large moth> and maybe two Luna's in a childhood. For some reason they would be around after storms cleared. Very hard to find. Kind of the gold coin of moths. lol.

 

[CarolinaDigs]

I enjoyed looking at this beautiful moth.

 

[jeric2]

they are all over around here in Eastern Maryland. See them all the time when the weather warms up

 

[MUD(S.W.A.T)]

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!!

 

[paul1410]

And now for something completely different...


Very cool, Monty.

It just proves Mother Nature is still the best artist.

 

[BIG61AL]

I miss seeing Fire flies [we called them lightning bugs]. I used to see them on warm summer nights in New York by the thousands when I was a kid. Haven't lived in New York for 25 years. Does any body know if they are still in New York. I know there is not a single one here in Colorado.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Does any body know if they are still in New York.

Oh yes. We have a field between the neighbor and our house that is brushy. The deer will come out to browse and when they're about done it's dark and the fireflies come out. Nothing like popping a wine cork and watching nothing for hours as the day fades.

Nearest streetlight is about 6 miles away in the valley.

 

[Kiros32]

Very cool. I remember them, I used to find their wings on the ground...I had cats

 

[gold fish]

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.

 

[DIRTSWEEPER]

Wow thats great, I have never seen one of those my whole 34 years. Thanks a bunch, great find.

HOWLOW

 

[SHERMANVILLE ILLINOIS]

Monty,

neat. Is it dead?

have a good un............
SHERMANVILLE

 

[PBK]

Monty, what state are you in ?? Because this is REALLY early to see a Luna, it's actualy kinda spooky.

He's in Oklahoma. I live in Arkansas and also saw a Luna moth about a week ago. In fact, it was just "unfurling" after eclosion (emerging from the cocoon) when I first saw it, but some hours later its wings were fully expanded and dried, as in the photo that Monty posted. Not long after that I noticed that it had flown away— hopefully under its own power, and not inside some sizable and very satisfied bird.

 

[goldgrubber]

Cool bug!

 

[Capefearsman]

First time I have seen one.. Thanks

 

[allen]

beautiful moth...

 

[kieser sousa/rip]

It's a long story,but I'll tell ya them things taste terrible !

 

[weasel606]

great pic !

 

[diggummup]

they are all over around here in Eastern Maryland. See them all the time when the weather warms up

Yes,I remember catching them in Accokeek when I was a kid.Luna's,Regals, Imperials and so on.Nice pic Monty.