The Eacles imperialis (Drury) (Saturniidae) or the Imperial Moth!!
The dogs started to bark and were trying to grab it at first I thought they were chasing a yellow leaf I dont know if its injured or just emerged from the ground...from the research I did it appears they mature in late September to early October and pupate in overwintering cells in the ground. I placed it in a box to observe it and keep it safe until it can fly.
It is unable to fly...just sort of flip flops and for a while it was not standing on legs but now She is using her legs. According to my Golden Butterfly and Moth Field Guide its a female...its quite large as you can see..
Says in the book they eat Oak, Pine, and Sassafras to name a few and we have each of those trees right where it was found!! I released it a little later as I read they hatch out of the ground and then they breed and die within a few days!
Earlier this week the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail-female- came around...she was quite large too..
This fellow is a daily visitor to flowers I have sitting on the deck...
We had a lovely sunset the other night...
And a big strom passed close by
Nature entertains me everyday!!
