Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 982349

Columbia silkmoth
Hyalophora columbia

Observation date: June 21, 2014
Submitted by: wildblue
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: This moth was resting on an upright log support on my front porch. It was fanning its wings slowly and its body would pulsate like it was heaving. Later it barely moved. The right wing was torn or damaged somehow. It was there later but gone this morning. There were no host plants nearby but my Rocky Mtn penstamen is in bloom, as are dame's rocket. It was fairly sunny and 60s, the wind had blown very hard several hrs earlier but was just a breeze. When I touched its foot, it shook it like it had stepped in something.
Status: Resident
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: June 25, 2014
Coordinator notes: None.
Checklist region(s): United States, Wyoming, Sublette County