This gorgeous creature has been sitting here on the windowsill all day.
This is a Luna moth. They live in hardwood forests, and this one was most likely feeding off the surrounding birch trees as a caterpillar.
Its a treat to see one here, I think this is only the second time I've met one in the wild. Its rare to have such large winged moths here, and this one is big. Luna moths can be 75mm (2.95") to 105mm (4.13").
The adult Luna Moths don't eat; they don't even have a mouth. They live only for a week, all they gotta focus on is mating...
They have all their action at night, this is when the female releases a chemical to attract males. Night is also the only time that they fly.
I am thinking this one is probably a male since he has a fairly large set of feathery antennae. (The males have the bigger head feathers)
These moths are very sensitive to even light pollution, and according to the websites I checked, were once very common, but are now considered an endangered species in some areas, though they are not listed as endangered by the IUCN or the EPA.
Info on the Luna moth gathered from Fairfax County Public School's website http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/luna_moth.htm
and the Insect Identification website
http://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.asp?identification=Luna-Moth
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