Can anyone identify this moth?

[HumanLegs]

My boyfriend came home from work in early July and saw this gigantic moth. We should've put something close by for size comparison, but it was big. Like bigger than his hand. We live in Michigan if that helps. I tried to find some information about the moth but there's like 250,000 different types of moths! So since I'd never figure it out on my own I'm hoping someone here will know something. Also, could someone tell me what kind of caterpillar this thing comes from. Thanks for any help!

 

[Pooh67_68]

It looks like a lunar moth.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actias_luna

http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/luna_moth.htm

 

[Kies99]

That's a Luna Moth.

 

[Jennasis]

Think I saw her in a movie once...

 

[HumanLegs]

I knew I should've come here first! Thanks all!

 

[DizBelle]

I don't know but I'm skeeved out now.....

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Yea well, I knew what it was before I opened the thread. That is how good I am.

But seriously I did know you were probably going to ask about the Luna Moth. It is so awesome.

 

[DVCLiz]

I don't know but I'm skeeved out now.....

Why would a luna moth skeeve anyone out? They are totally harmless and gorgeous as well. It would be like being afraid of a butterfly...

 

[HumanLegs]

Yea well, I knew what it was before I opened the thread. That is how good I am.

But seriously I did know you were probably going to ask about the Luna Moth. It is so awesome.

It's definately awesome. I'm bummed to find out that I might never see one again. Wiki says they only live for a week....

 

[DizBelle]

Why would a luna moth skeeve anyone out? They are totally harmless and gorgeous as well. It would be like being afraid of a butterfly...

It's just something about bugs. I'm not a big fan of bugs.

 

[HumanLegs]

Why would a luna moth skeeve anyone out? They are totally harmless and gorgeous as well. It would be like being afraid of a butterfly...

His furry body kinda skeeved me out too.....

 

[LuvLDM]

Pretty moth

 

[C.Ann]

Yep! Last year we were loaded with them up here and they're so pretty! Ours were more of a bright green though - almost lime green..

 

[redlight]

It's a beautiful moth!

 

[SaraJayne]

Wow, that's beautiful! I've never seen one.

 

[kacaju]

Yea well, I knew what it was before I opened the thread. That is how good I am.

But seriously I did know you were probably going to ask about the Luna Moth. It is so awesome.

too funny, I thought Luna moth as well as I read the title!!

 

[Luv2trav]

OMG.. Thank you for asking this question. I had one on my car back in early June and I totally freaked out. I took a picture and no one could tell me what it was. It was the size of my hand and I have never seen one either.

Does Lunar moth man it ony comes out at night? It would make sense because I work midnights and it was on my car at 6 am...

 

[SandrA9810]

i think from the size of the picture it freaked me out more, than if I saw one in person. Kinda sad that they only live for a week.

 

[HumanLegs]

OMG.. Thank you for asking this question. I had one on my car back in early June and I totally freaked out. I took a picture and no one could tell me what it was. It was the size of my hand and I have never seen one either.

Does Lunar moth man it ony comes out at night? It would make sense because I work midnights and it was on my car at 6 am...

Yep, pretty sure they only come out at night. My boyfriend found this one about 3 am. He got me out of bed to come see it.

 

[disney1990]

I'd love to have it if you catch it. My daughter is studying entomology.