This is a Luna Moth- Absoluting stunning! We have these in Ohio as well as Georgia!
Large Butterfly-like insect by: Connie in WV
Your large butterfly-like moth is a Luna Moth. I had one start a cocoon one fall and it wintered out on a gazebo of mine until early spring. Then we watched it unfold to be the beautiful moth that you have pictured here.
Luna moth male by: Moni
Angelo You have a Luna Moth. These are beautiful moths! They are in the Silk moth family (Saturniidae). The large feathery antenna on this one tells us it is a male, as they use the antennas to pick up the pheromone scent of the female. The larvae become large green caterpillars, over 2" long. The caterpillars feed on many trees including birch, black gum, hickory, persimmon, sweet gum and walnut. Cocoons are hidden in leaf litter in the winter.
