Giant moth! ID please...

[Precarious]

Just went to mist my phasmids and saw this monster in the net cage with them. Last month I found a huge cocoon in the woods. I brought it home and kept it in with the phasmids. Was beginning to wonder if it was a dud. I guess not!

It landed on my nose and covered half my face.

Now I don't know what to do with it. What do people do with these? Set them free I'd imagine. I'll do that before too long. Wish I could have seen it emerge.

Some quick pics:

 

[Mime454]

Hyalophora cecropia

 

[Crazy4mantis]

That's a cecropia moth. great find! it will die a few days after emerging so you should let it go soon so it can mate.

 

[fercho ing]

is so beautiful

 

[jrh3]

sweet how big is its wing span. sure its not as big as atticus atlas, lol. it looks huge

 

[Precarious]

Hyalophora cecropia

That's a cecropia moth. great find! it will die a few days after emerging so you should let it go soon so it can mate.

Cool, thanks. I'll let it go ASAP. I should probably take is closer to where I found it though. Do you think? I'm maybe 5 miles from there right now.

 

[hierodula]

wow so beuatiful <3

 

[azn567]

Looks like it would make a good feeder...

 

[Digger]

I had a number of Eastern Tent Caterpillars recently eclose and the moths died within a day or two (in captivity). Was going to use them for yummies. They really do perish quickly. That's a gorgeous critter Henry. And BTW: What nose? According to your avatar, you don't have one !

 

[Ranitomeya]

You can release it where you live, they're known to fly for miles in search of female pheromones. The cecropia is the largest moth we have in North America.

 

[sally]

What a fortunate find. That is a beautiful creature.

 

[fleurdejoo]

LUCKY!!!!

 

[agent A]

adult male hyalophora cecropia

they like to squirt yucky stuff on people so beware

 

[brancsikia339]

Male Hyalophora cecropia. Gorgeous find! I can't find caterpillars or adults anywhere!

 

[twolfe]

They are beautiful. I raised them for a few years. The caterpillars are really neat, too and change with each instar. The adult stage doesn't eat. I agree that it's OK to let it go at your place. Lucky you have them there. I only see Polyphemus here in the wild.

Did it leave any stains behind? They sometimes do when they are inflating their wings.