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Project Noah Nature School
Hyles lineata
A medium to large-sized, arrow-shaped Moth (?) found in our yard one morning. After taking a few shots and not knowing if it was alive or not, I gently placed a smooth stick under its front moth paws. It quickly grabbed onto the stick so I carefully lifted the stick up and had my father hold the stick so I could photograph its belly. After setting it back down on the ground, low-and-behold, I noticed pink patches showing on its back that hadn't been seen prior so, took a few more pictures. It didn't look injured but acted lethargic. We left it alone and later that day it disappeared. Not sure if something ate it or if it flew away.
The moth's range is throughout the United States and extends north into southern Canada and south into Mexico. It can also be found occasionally in the West Indies
The White-lined sphinx may be encountered from April to October. The fore wing is dark brown with a tan stripe which extends from the base to the apex. There are also white lines that cover the veins. The black hind wing has a broad pink median band. It has a wingspan of 2 to 3 inches
YukoChartraw-Thank you! Right?!! I got very lucky with this one. My father went out to mow and came back in to say we had a large interesting-looking moth outside the cabin if I wanted to take its picture before it flew away or was eaten by something. At first I thought it dead and snapped a few images of it in the grass but then I gently placed a smooth stick under its feet, thinking I'd turn it over to see its belly, and it climbed up on and clung to the branch. I yelled for my father to hold the branch so I could photograph its underside without harming or bothering it to much. I put it back down on the grass after taking these images and it was gone a few hours later. Not sure if it flew away or was eaten but I got lucky with this one, for sure. Normally I find them out hiking in the woods and have to watch them closely to see where they land and then squeeze my camera and body into foliage and use flash. Natural lighting and cooperative Moths are the best, hands-down. "-)
What a lovely moth!
Since I found Project Noah, I've been wanting to spot a beautiful moth like this, but I haven't been lucky. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places ...
CarolSnowMilne-Right?!! Beautiful even before I saw the pink and, at approximately 2.5-3", not a small moth either. :-)
Gorgeous Moth! I think I have the caterpillar. I hope this is what the adult looks like. I have to wait until spring. WOW! Lovely! I can't believe they are still around this late.
Spotted on Sep 11, 2012
Submitted on Sep 17, 2012
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