Moths

This brilliant moth caught my eye when I walked to the garage at about 7:30 this morning.

I have seen these in the past but don't recall that I had searched for their identification.

Anisota Senatorea, the Oakworm Moth.

There are several variations, one with a pink stripe on the body.

Daughter G. seeing the photo claims it inspires her to want a garment in fake orange fur!

A tattered little moth, in quiet colors.

I am less than positive about the ID on this one.

I found many similar photos online, but identifications were inconclusive.

It appears to be the Common Gray, Anavitrinella Pampinaria.

[I'm considering how I might drop that name into a conversation!]

This pretty thing is a Regal Walnut Moth, Citheronia Regales. 

Side view of the fat body and gripping little feet.

A marvel of design.

Cecropia Moth.

This one appears a bit battered.

 "Although they only live five or six days, the adults capture the eye of anyone lucky enough to see one at night. The adults hatch from their cocoon on mornings in spring -- May through June throughout much of their range. Their first day as winged adults is spent clinging to a branch as they allow their bodies to dry and quickly pump their wings to get blood flowing to them and lengthen them. The females remain perched due to being egg-laden, and send out a pheromone to attract males just before dawn. After mating, the male will hide during the day and continue finding females just before dawn. The female, however, will almost immediately begin laying eggs in small clutches. She diligently spreads out the small clutches of eggs to help minimize the risk of competition among larvae. Once she's done, she'll have laid about 350 eggs."

http://animals.pawnation.com/lifespan-cecropia-moths-4645.html

I found this Cecropia clinging high up on the building when I went out late in the afternoon.

Not sure if it is the same moth I watched in the morning.

This one seems less frayed.

Isn't this a stunning creation?

Giant Imperial Moth; Hyalophora Cecropia.

This one was clinging to the top of the garage window frame.

After several attempts to zoom in on it, I dragged out a crate and clambered up for some closer shots.

At such times I wish I had a camera capable of refined detail--and, of course, the wits to use it!

Trying to hold the camera steady.

Fortunately, the moth was oblivious to my presence.

Furry!

This battered and damaged cecropia clung to the bottom of the door frame.

By afternoon it was obviously near the end of its lifespan.

The two black spots on the body were crusty--wounds? Parasites?

Sadly, I found a cecropia crushed and dead, lying at the edge of the carport when I returned from gardening at the other house.

The boy cats will swipe at a moth or butterfly which lands with in their reach.

Did the moth of the morning blunder down from the top of the window frame and become an instant victim?

Or were there several in various stages of their short lives who found our dooryard appealing today?