HI Brenda~I can't help with the ID, but I do want to offer my condolences on the loss of your DH.

Your moth is beautiful.

Take care.

I'm so sorry about your husband, Brenda - I wish I could give you a hug! My husband and I just celebrated our 41st anniversay, so I can empathize with you losing your best friend.
I think your moth is some type of underwing/catocala moth - many of them have brilliant hindwing colors, like hot pink or bright yellow, but many of them have plain hindwings.
I'm sorry about your husband, but if this forum gave him joy, I'm glad for that.
MissSherry

Brenda;
So sorry for your loss. I looked on the "What's that bug" website. If you have not checked that website out, give it a go. You will find yourself spending lots of time looking at fascinating bugs : )! Anyhow, I think you have a waved Sphinx there. Here is the link, check it out yourself and see if you agree. http://www.whatsthatbug.com/clearwing_moth.html

-Elisabeth

Brenda, your post brought tears to my eyes. I'm so sorry...I just lost my dad a little over a month ago. He and my mom were married 60 years. I didn't even have chance to give them much of an anniverary party when he became ill.

I'm praying for you for strength, it's the only thing that seems to help.

How wonderful that you can get comfort from your yard and butterflies. On the day of my Dad's funeral I released 4 monarchs that I raised from eggs that we had collected. Two of them flew up onto a maple tree within feet of each other and basked in the sun. Ever since, I've had many, many monarchs in the yard. I'll always think of Dad when I see one.

My first thought when I saw the picture was that it might be a Tabbaco Hornworm moth. But it's hard to get an idea of size because I don't know how big a ginger blossom is. Hornworm moths are huge so Miss Sherry's probably right about it being an underwing.

Bless you Brenda, please accept my sympathy.

Maryann in CT

Mimi - I also want to add my condolences on the loss of your husband and best friend! My prayers are with you as I write this message. I cannot even fathom the pain you are going through. I hope you stay with these wonderful, beautiful people on this forum because we will do all we can to help sustain you in your grieving process. It is a boon to witness the life cycle of butterflies and moths and the wondrous miracles of nature. You will probably cry, pound your fists in anger, as you move through the steps of grief, but you have us to lean on. So please count us among your friends when you need to talk about your loss.

I do indeed think your moth is some kind of sphinx. There are so many with those markings and coloration. Do you recall what the abdomen may have looked like? If it had yellow or pink bands on it, we could get closer to an ID.

Susan (a friend, and lots of (((((((((((hugs))))))))))) and a shoulder to lean on ^0^.

Thank you all soooooooooo much for your wonderful thoughts. I will get through this and must apologize for being whiny. My precious DH enjoyed GW as much as me and was amazed at what we learned from this forum. I feel sure he is directing the beautiful butterflies that seem to be all over my yard right now.

Some time back I had posted a pic of a large green cat that I was told was a Tobacco Horned Worm and this just may be the moth from that big boy. The underneath of the moth had a slightly pinkish tinge but I can't see actual bands in my pics.

Elisabeth - I LOVE that web site. It is really interesting. Thanks for telling me about it.

Bernergrrl, Missherry, Elisabeth, Maryann and Susan - Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your prayers and sweet words of compassion. What a great group of people visit this forum.

Brenda,please remember that we are more than just a butterfly gardening forum here. I believe our mutual love of butterflies gives us common ground on which to connect. That's how friendships begin.

Remember to take care of yourself and give yourself time and permission for your feelings whatever they may be at the moment. My Mom says her feelings are so up and down from one minute to the next that she doesn't even try to comprehend them.

I'll try to locate the picture of my tabbaco hornworm moth and post it.

Meanwhile take care and try to get as much rest as you can.

Love, Maryann

I hope the butterflies fill your garden and each one carries away one tear. The moth that you saw is a pink spotted hawkmoth. That dark rectangular patch on the costal edge and light pink scaling give it away.

Don, what a lovely sentiment.

Whenever I release a Monarch my Mom says, " I wish it would fly up to meet your dad..."

If each one could carry away just one tear...
I know it will still take a very long time to heal...

Maryann