If Butterflies Are Pretty, This Is Not A Butterfly

[Henry]

This Miller/Butterfly flew into my mud room the other night - Quite large - 5 1/2 inch wing span - We did not kill it, it died a natural death:

[mkr]

I had one exactly like that at my house too the other day?  It was on the tail gate of my truck.  I wonder if it was the same one and just worked its way over to your house.

[GamingWeasel]

The furry antenae make me think it's a moth instead.

[Rev. Elizabeth]

I agree it is a moth; I have tried to find a picture of it, unsuccessfully.  There are a variety of sphinx moths that have that pattern on the wings that look like eyes, but I can't find a one speciifically like the one posted.

[CLach]

Possibly a Brown Luna Moth ...has the same markings

[Henry]

You are right CLach - Just Binged it and got the photo that looks exactly like it:

http://www.milestonesandmemoriesphoto.com/Pets/Nature/2337087_B72ze/1/122283930_VSEaN#122283930_VSEaN

[Dick Brown]

Good Morning , Henry        I had a part-time job in college many, many , many years ago working for an entomologist at URI in that Department's Lab. One of my jobs was categorizing and " pinning " moths and other insects for their teaching purposes. I obviously don't remember the name of this  species , but it is definitely a moth . The eyes on the wings , if I remember correctly , were for defensive purposes , according to the Entomologist , helping to keep predators away . Again , I'm not sure of the name , but from three years experience of " pinning " it certainly looks like a moth . By the way  Henry , these are wonderful photos of the species . Hope your day is going well. l

[Mike Raburn]

 was gonna say Luna too....

But what do I know........ not much.