As I was clearing out a bit of trash and leaves near the garden, I came across this beautiful moth.  It was almost as wide as my handspan, which is 8 inches.  I've seen moths like this before, and remembered that it is an Imperial Moth.  I checked with Seek to be sure.  

 

Of course all moths have larval stages, and the larvae eat plants, but the Imperial Moth caterpillars eat various species of pine, oak, maple, sassafras, and sweet gum leaves.  Not my tomato and pepper plants.  

 

Ok, they can stay.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!