I thought it was a leaf stuck on the wall.

On further inspection it’s ALIVE!!!

It's 2.5"- 3" long and wide

This message has been edited. Last edited by: PR64,

B-1 Stealth Bomber moth

It is definitely a moth.

It looks like a hummingbird moth to me.

When they are flying, they look ASTONISHINGLY like a hummingbird.

looks like something out of Star Wars.

Jim

Could be an Achemon Sphinx moth (Eumorpha achemon). Native to North America.

It's definitely a moth.

quote:

Originally posted by kkina:
Could be an Achemon Sphinx moth (Eumorpha achemon). Native to North America.

That’s it!

You nailed it.

It’s still resting on my backyard wall.

I have never seen one before today.

SIGforum knowledge is always amazing.

My major was Biology. Had to identify these things before we had Internet!

Boy, that’s a lost way of thinking.

bing giant wood moth for a larger version.

I actually thought it might be a wood moth at first, but then realized the OP is in California, not Australia.

I’m your neighbor kkina in the East Bay Tri Valley.

Ah...I used to shoot in the East Bay, at Chabot until they closed it down.

Ah, not the same as a hummingbird moth, but hummingbird moths are also in the sphinx moth family.

quote:

Originally posted by kkina:
Ah...I used to shoot in the East Bay, at Chabot until they closed it down.

I shoot at the Livermore Pleasanton Rod and Gun Club.

It has gotten a bit more crowded after the Chabot and Concord range closures.

I was going to post 'sphinx moth' but kkina was quicker and more specific. Last year a very steampunk caterpiller was found at casa kablammo munching on moonflower vines. It was likely a Five Spotted Hawk moth.

PR64, if it is not too much trouble please plant some flowers and host plants for the sphinx moths. The sphinx moths like nightshade plants; tomatoes, green peppers, moonflowers, and related. Its a very different intention for gardening but rewarding in the evenings watching the moths flit about.

Interesting. I used to shoot at Chabot and Livermore/Pleasanton, until I left for a free state.

Looks like the moth than haunts Clarice Starling.

quote:

Originally posted by kkina:
Ah...I used to shoot in the East Bay, at Chabot until they closed it down.

I grew up shooting at Chabot, closest range to Orinda, where we lived. 1970s - 1980s. Sad to see it go

It’ll grow up to be a prophecy

quote:

Originally posted by PR64:

quote:

Originally posted by kkina:
Ah...I used to shoot in the East Bay, at Chabot until they closed it down.

I shoot at the Livermore Pleasanton Rod and Gun Club.

It has gotten a bit more crowded after the Chabot and Concord range closures.

Then they shut down Jackson Arms in South San Francisco (I think the owner retired). Now I have to drive 40 miles to Los Altos to shoot handguns or rifles.