Here's a photo I *did* take myself.

This cecropia moth was just sitting outside appearing to be exhausted and I got some picturesl. Cecropias are one of the largest moths in North America and can have a wingspan of over 6".

When I was about 9 years old I raised one of these from a huge green caterpillar, feeding it fresh leaves each day until it spun a cocoon. Months later when it emerged and unfolded its wings and I let it fly away into the night it was a wonderful experience.

Once they reach the adult stage, cecropia moths cannot feed and only live for about 2 weeks allowing them a short time to mate, lay eggs and then die. This female was near the end of her life and she laid eggs the next day. I had brought her inside because the weather was bad and will raise her eggs as best as I can.

Cecropia caterpillars are very susceptible to parasitic wasps that lay their eggs on them so raising will spare them from those fiends and perhaps I will see more of them in the future.