Moth

This lovely huge moth was outside by the light above the front door for hours a few days ago, giving me plenty of time to take several photos - click on the pics to see him/her upclose!

Ceanothus Silkmoth ( Hyalophora euryalus )

Identification: This is one of the largest moths found in the area. It can be distinguished by an elongated white eyespot on each wing and a multicolored marginal eyespot on the forewings. It is reddish brown in color with a submarginal white line on all wings and light margins. They have large, feathery antennae and an extremely hairy body with white lines across the abdomen.

Habitat and Range: This saturnid is found west of the Rockies from British Columbia south to Mexico. It inhabits numerous habitats including coastal areas, coniferous forests, and chaparral.

Food: Larvae feed on buckbrush (from which they take their name Ceanothus ), willow, madrone, alder, and a number of other trees and bushes. Adults do not feed.

It tends to rest with its wings held above it.