Polyphemus moth
I found this beautiful species of the giant silk moths, Polyphemus, this summer by the docks at my house in Laconia. The eye spots are where it gets its name – from the Greek myth of the Cyclops Polyphemus. Wingspan of about 6". I believe she had just emerged from her cocoon. She was placed back in the same spot so she could continue her journey, laying eggs and dying in about 7 days...adds new meaning to "life's short".
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