the other night when we got home after dinner I noticed a rather large insect/moth? flying around just on the edge of the lit area from the street light in front of our house. It would have been around 4" to 5" across but I was unable to see the colour or whether it was 2 sets of double wings or single wings as it kept to the edge of the light but when I positioned myself differently I was surprised to see a tail/body around 2" long protruding beyond the wings. It looked like it fattened up towards the end of the tail too, to be honest I have no idea what it was as I have never seen anything like it. Had to laugh when the wife said it looked like a little dragon but I have to admit it did a bit but I could not see the head at all.

I was hoping someone in here can actually clue me in as I have never seen anything like it and it has not been around since, would be good to be able to identify whatever it was.

I can assure you it wasn't my wife.

I can assure you it wasn't my wife.

neither my mother in law- currently she left "the end of the world"(issaan,no offence my Greek friend)and staying with my wife to welcome the baby....

Look like this?

Possible a bat, rapid wing beats.

Escaped from the attic of a poster who shall remain nameless.

Maybe a Death's head hawkmoth. I have seen a few 5-6 inch wingspan specimens here.

https://www.google.co.th/search?q=deaths+head+moth+thailand&client=firefox-a&hs=d55&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=HB5qVIWkH8-PuAT90YGIAQ&ved=0CCoQ7Ak&biw=1024&bih=634

Look like this?20140801_091204.jpg

no, couldnt see the colouring but the wings were more rounded and the tail was sticking out beyond the circumfrance of the wings

it was Batman chaseing the crimes that have been unchased in the village. Don't you worry until you endeavour ROBIN walking down the street asking for donations . . . . ..

Maybe a Death's head hawkmoth. I have seen a few 5-6 inch wingspan specimens here.

https://www.google.co.th/search?q=deaths+head+moth+thailand&client=firefox-a&hs=d55&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=HB5qVIWkH8-PuAT90YGIAQ&ved=0CCoQ7Ak&biw=1024&bih=634

just went through all those pics and with the wings open some of then actually do look like what I saw, it was bloody big for a moth and the tail was definitely long and protruding from the wings as some of the pics show, wish I had of been able to get a clearer look or even a pic, probably could do a rough drawing

https://www.google.com/search?site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1366&bih=643&q=moths+of+thailand&oq=moths+of+thailand&gs_l=img.3..0j0i24.2096.9615.0.10375.17.10.0.7.7.0.463.1927.2-6j0j1.7.0....0...1ac.1.58.img..3.14.1946.HzKhj_BegSw

Lantern bug?.

stock-photo-fly-insect-lantern-flying-isolated-in-black-52713826.jpg

Lantern bug?.

pretty well spot on, tail is virtually identical, how big do they grow?

No idea, have seen one but not in flight that was around 4 inches. Your description made me think of them as they are pretty bizarre.

Edited November 18, 201411 yr by Scully

No idea, have seen one but not in flight that was around 4 inches. Your description made me think of them as they are pretty bizarre.

thanks Scully, mate, that sounds about the right size and my wife just confirmed it as well from the pic. Had me totally stumped as I have never seen anything like it before, must not be very common but I will keep an eye out now I know what they are, cheers.

There is nothing just bunch of bad insects.....

Actually seajae....I think it is a "Frangipani bug"...you know, the ones that eat all the roots and kills your trees....