Looks like a gorgeous female to me, Angie, at least her antennae look smallish. Female luna moths have bigger antennae than other big moth females, at least mine always have. I've mistakenly called a female a male until the "real" male emerged with his great big antennae! :)
Around here their favorite host is sweetgum, but they use many trees - she probably laid eggs on your hickory last night.
Congrats on finding my favorite moth!
Sherry

That's really cool! Its always sort of shocking.....in a wonderful way, to see one. Every few years I see one. They sure don't stay around long. And I never see them flying......just sitting motionless somewhere.
That's neat that you have a big shagbark in your yard. I do too, with another young one growing not too far from it. They are such cool trees.

What a beautiful moth. I just found my new desktop pic : D

that is absolutely beautiful. I've never seen one in person before, I always hope though.

Beautiful! So glad your son spotted it as well! I saw one a few years ago up in Mid Michigan. They are spectacular! My daughter was 3 at the time and said it was like a fairy. :)

Thanks guys. In person, it looks as good as it does in the photo. I am finding that most people I show it to say that they have never seen one. What an awesome thing to see!! I was so happy to know that they are existing in my yard. :o)
Angie