[drewprops]

Okay, if we're identifying insects and arachnids from the Atlanta area, I want to know what kind of moth this is!! I found him hanging out inside a covered ATM!! I invited him to climb onto my hand (which he did all too readily) then took him outside of the booth and put him near the bottom edge of some prickly bushes, well out of the range of people who might be inclined to stomp him. He really, really, really didn't want to let go, but I had to urge him... those thick hairy legs were kind of creepy, but he's just a moth.... a MOTH!!!!

[Kraetos]

That's no moth... its a space station.

...

No seriously that moth is huge.

[psmith2.0]

Not sure, but here's a site that might help:

http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org

You can browse by a gallery or click the map area and narrow it down to your area (but no gallery...you'll have to click each link).

There is a boatload of Fulton County moth listings (with pics), but I wasn't about to go through them all. He's probably in there somewhere!

[Brad]

You found a Polyphemus moth!



A thing of beauty.

I found a giant one here in Raleigh about this time last year. I'll see if I can find my pics.

[drewprops]

Hey!!!
Looks like we have one of each sex... which is which?? Let's mate 'em!!

[PKIDelirium]

Holy fuck, that'd scare the shit out of me if I ran into one of those.

[ezkcdude]

Mothra?

[Fahrenheit]

Originally Posted by Kraetos That's no moth... its a space station. ... No seriously that moth is huge.

In reference to those standardised paving slabs?

[Moogs]

Dudes, it's the moth that Gandolf spoke to atop the black towerz!

[Kraetos]

Originally Posted by Farenheit In reference to those standardised paving slabs?

Aw you're no fun.

[Brad]

I found some pics of the one I saw last year.




I believe she was "pregnant" (or whatever moths get... full of eggs?) given the... large... section... thing.

My wife tells me that your moth was probably attracted to you because you're warm and that moths tend to like heat sources (thus the whole "moths to a flame" thing).

[colivigan]

Originally Posted by Brad I believe she was "pregnant" (or whatever moths get... full of eggs?) given the... large... section... thing. My wife tells me that your moth was probably attracted to you because you're warm and that moths tend to like heat sources (thus the whole "moths to a flame" thing).

Yeah, they really can't help getting pregnant, can they?

[Moogs]

Check out the feelers... it's totally the same moth genus. Middle earth is REAL; this is proofs!

[Brad]

Originally Posted by Moogs Check out the feelers... it's totally the same moth genus. Middle earth is REAL; this is proofs!

Gandalf's moth: Actias selene "Indian Moon Moth"

Same family (Saturniidae), but different genus and species.

[Moogs]

I has been crushed by Brad's mastery of mothness. I feel shame....

[drewprops]

Brad is indeed shaping up to be the Moth-Man!!

Since childhood one of my avocations is Entomology... insects are ALL AROUND us and are FANTASTICALLY alien... and generally safe to play with. Some of the ones that are absolutely non-poisonous may creep me out.... say the obnoxious scrabble of a cockroach's legs on the floor of a porcelain bathtub.

Anyway, these bug threads are cool!!!