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Photo#1467067
Very Large Sphynx moth in Goleta, California - Cocytius antaeus

Very Large Sphynx moth in Goleta, California - Cocytius antaeus
Goleta, Santa Barbara County, California, USA
November 10, 2017
Size: 10 inch wing span
This is the largest sphynx moth I have ever seen. It was the size of a moderately sized bat.

Moved
Moved from Duponchel's Sphinx.

Moved
Moved from Cocytius.

Moved
Moved from Giant Sphinx.

Moved in Error
I was mixing up the field marks, this is indeed antaeus.

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

Looks like Giant Sphinx Moth
Cocytius antaeus
If so, very rare for California.
I could be wrong.
Info and images here.

 
Cocytius antaeus
I think you may be correct. The photograph does not show it, but it had three orange dots on each side of the abdomen. I looked up a reference in Wikipedia and the wing span looks good, although on the upper end (probably around 200 mm if you account for distortion in the image.

In over 50 years in Southern California, observing many sphinx moths, this is the first time I have seen anything like this. Given the general northward migration of many organisms, I figure it is an invader.

 
Yes
The white dot-dash discal spots are consistent with this species and not found on any other species. Your image is now placed in the guide. WELCOME TO BUGGUIDE!!!!!!

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