Categories
MothsTags
bug loveUnknown moths
Location: Massachusetts, USA
September 17, 2010 8:21 pm
What are these very interesting ”downy” moths? I think I know what they are doing. Each about 1 1/4 inch long. Color white and brown. Antenna, legs, (and maybe body) covered by very fine white hairs looking like tufts of down. Pair was perched close to an empty oval domed chrysalis shell on a fence post.
Signature: Flashfox
Mating Tolype Moths
Dear Flashfox,
We are very lucky to receive your beautiful image of Mating Moths in the genus Tolype. There are several very similar looking species in the genus. According to BugGuide, there are: “Two widespread eastern species are Small Tolype (T. notialis) and Large Tolype (T. velleda). The postmedian line on the forewing is more wavy in T. notialis, less wavy in T. velleda. Also, T. notialis is usually a darker gray, and T. velleda a paler gray. Compare T. velleda/T. notialis: However, there is considerable variation among individuals and between the sexes of all Tolype species, which complicates identification of species based on color.”
Related Posts
-
(09/20/2005)Another Large Tolype -
(10/10/2006)Large Tolype -
(10/27/2008)Mating Large Tolype -
(12/28/2008)Tolype
Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.
Post a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.