Pat, does it look like this? Gypsy Moth - U. Maine

And, you can try this link:http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?guide=Moth

Jane, no, I saw the UMain site. It is very much larger but the wing is more brown than black. Thank you.

Look at photos of Cecropia moths . . . is that it?

Gypsy moths are rather dull looking and average size.

To get a photo here, take a photo of what you want to post and then sign onto Gweb with your phone/iPad/whatever you took the photo with and then use the photo upload button that's on every thread and comment (looks like a camera at the bottom of comment box.) Click the photo button, and navigate to where your photos are stored. You can also download from photos from your phone, camera, whatever, onto your computer, and then upload from there.

PS - I always get a hoot out of the fact that you hang out with us here in New England, Pat!

NHBabs, I'm glad you get a hoot (honestly) because I feel I should not be posting on "your" site, but I LOVE you guys' posts and pictures and you are so much more compassionate about wildlife than some of the other parts of the U.S.

Also, the Cercropis was suggested to me by rhizo on the Insects Forum and i do think that it what it is. I am going to check further and if not a Gypsy, my hubs is going to free this guy tomorrow morning. He's still on my front door (the moth, not the hubs). He is HUGE. If he alighted there last night,, then he has not eaten all day and i will probably worry about it all night. He might be hiding from a bird.

Thank you for the reply.

My memory from growing up in the midwest is that cecropias hang out somewhere quiet during the day and are active dusk and dawn.