Polyphemus Moth

Male polyphemus moth

Well, look who I found sleeping near my moth light this morning. A polyphemus moth, one of our largest (4-6" wingspan), most widespread (all of U.S. except desert southwest), and of course one of our most beautiful native animals. This is a handsome male, as you can tell by the size of his, um, antennae. Female antennae are about 30% smaller. I set him free at sunset with best wishes to sniff out female pheromones with his sensitive antennae.