"IT WAS A TITAN SPHINX Moth. I had never heard or seen one before. I tried to do a little research to see if they are common in North West Wisconsin and I don't think they are.
"I am sending you three photos. Any information you can give me would be valuable."
I reply, "Yes, it is an Aellopos titan, and it is a rare stray into Wisconsin.
"There are quite a few Sphingidae, generally from much further south, that seem to ride severe weather patterns (wind currents) and are probably wind assisted from
south to north along some of the river valleys. Check out the website link that I sent and you will see the list of rare strays in Wisconsin. The state of Ohio is
also known for its rare strays, and I think they are wind assisted as well along the Ohio River valley.
"It is likely that these strays cannot overwinter in Ohio or Wisconsin, but are multi-brooded, and early broods from much further south ride wind currents into
some of the northern states."
I was even more surprised when I received the three images below from Don Severson in centralwestern Wisconsin: Trempealaeu County, the very next day, August 13, 2021.
I suspect these moths were aided by strong, storm winds in their northward journey. I doubt there are breeding populations, at least not ones that overwinter, in Wisconsin.
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