It finally occurred to me to question whether the phenomenon is related to the fact that I'm growing 3 varieties of gourds. All extensive, garden swallowing vines, all flowering very well... At night!
... And friting very well. 
I was looking at four o clocks and nicotiana to plant next spring, and the descriptions said "attracts hawk moths, sphinx moths, and other night flying moths" ...
Hawk moths = cutworms
Sphinx moths = hornworms
This would apply to Moonflower vines too....
) hornworms this year, which I've never seen in my yard before.