Mothra

Meet Smerinthus cerisyi - the one-eyed sphinx moth.

It’s a common species in our neck of the woods.  The caterpillars are associated with certain fruit trees (like plum, pear, etc.) and other native trees like poplars and willows.

 

For certain I figured this critter for a sphinx moth but I couldn't figure out precisely which one from my field guides.  

 

 

Thanks Patrick (PJ) Liesch, UW-Madison Department of Entomology Insect Diagnostic Lab for the ID.