Big poplar sphinx moth

Description:

This enormous moth has banded forewings and deep red hindwings. This is a lighter color morph with tan shades; most are darker greys.

Habitat:

This moth was among the dead leaves beneath a young cottonwood tree near a flash flood water pond.

Notes:

I saw this moth in the early morning. It was shaking and flapping its wings to warm up and then it flew away. Note how perfectly it is camouflaged against the leaf litter under the trees. As mentioned before, most of the moths that I have seen from this species are the dark form. I seldom see the light form.