I don't know if they're common in your county, but great spangled frits do occur there.

You said it was huge - could it have been a male (orange) diana fritillary? I looked it up on the internet, and they do occur in Wake County. As far as I know, great spangled frits aren't that huge (I haven't seen one in person) but people have said that dianas are as big as tiger swallowtails! I don't think they could really be as big as the 6" wingspan tigers I've been seeing lately, but they are definitely big. And they're known to be a woodland butterfly.

I'd DIE to see a diana!

Sherry

Maybe it was a Diana. I looked up pics and it fits the butterfly I seen more closely. It was a beautiful sight to see. I just wish I had my camera with me.

They're about the size of a Monarch.

I've seen one or two this Summer as well.