Volunteer Jill S. and I trekked up to the top of the IMAX dome last week to see what moths were hanging about by day. While there we found this gorgeous Banded Sphinx Moth (Eumorpha fasciatus) and brought it back down to the butterfly garden for a photo.With a wingspan of 3 7/16 to 3 13/16 inches, these moths are pretty large. The larvae host on primrose willow and other plants in the evening primrose family. Although I was unable to get a good photo, the hindwings of these moths have a bright patch of startling pink coloration!
I just love the triangular shape of sphinx moths which seem to be designed for speed and stealth. Watching them feed at night is also pretty fantastic because they move a lot like a hummingbird, hanging in the air in front of flowers while they nectar. Further proving that some moths are just awesome!
That moth is has such a cool look. It looks like a tiny Transformer.
ReplyDeleteI was on top of the dome earlier this year and got a picture of this gorgeous moth resting on my shoe.
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I just had one identified by my state expert. It alighted on my front porch screen in Memphis, TN about 2 weeks ago. Giant and beautiful.
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