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what is this bug?
Fri, Jul 3, 2009 at 2:15 PM
these 2 bugs were discovered 3pm july 3rd on our maple tree. They are each about 4inches across. please help us identify!
Katharine Mead
ne ohio
Mating Imperial Moths
Dear Katharine,
We are quite thrilled to post your photo of a pair of mating Imperial Moths. Just yesterday we posted a photo of a single male. Of your pair, the upper moth is the female. Female Imperial Moths have mostly yellow wings while the male has more purple markings.
what kind of moth is this please
Thu, Jul 2, 2009 at 1:48 PM
We had this moth at work 2 days ago sitting on the concrete most of the day and then hanging on the building for most of the night, then it was gone.
curious
northwest pa
Lime Hawk Moth
Dear Curious,
This sure looks like a Lime Hawk Moth, Mimas tiliae, to us. The problem with this identification is that the Lime Hawk Moth is a European species and this sighting could indicate an accidental introduction. We are copying Bill Oehlke who does comprehensive species data on the family Sphingidae, as well as the United States Department of Agriculture new pest advisory group at npag@aphis.usda.gov because the introduction of a new species to an area outside of its typical range can have significant environmental consequences and it should be treated seriously. The ease with which new species can be introduced by humans to distant locations can have dire impacts on local indigenous populations. Thanks for your cooperation in this potentially seriously matter.
Confirmation of Identification
Sat, Jul 4, 2009 at 4:52 AM
Daniel,
I agree that your id of the western PA moth is M. tiliae, and that it does not belong there.
Bill Oehlke
Ed. Note:
Now that Bill Oehlke, and expert in Sphingidae, has established that this is in fact a Lime Hawk Moth, there are several additional questions raised. First there is the possibility that this is a hoax. Though we like to believe that our readership is ethical, the possibility always exists that someone out there has “gone rogue” and is playing a joke. Once we establish that that is not the case here, the next question is whether this is an isolated individual that somehow got introduced, or if it is part of a brood or the beginning of an actual, viable introduction. More sightings would be necessary to establish that. Since the climate of northwest Pennsylvania is not dissimilar to that of the UK, and since the food tree, Linden, is grown ornamentally in northeast Ohio, and probably also in northwest Pennsylvania, the possibility exists that a population of Lime Hawk Moths may become established and spread in North America. We hope our friends at the USDA are checking their email during the holiday weekend since we just received a request to notify them of any suspected introductions. If you see a Lime Hawk Moth in the eastern portion of North America, please contact us immediately and put the name Lime Hawk Moth in the subject line of your email. More importantly, please contact the USDA at npag@aphis.usda.gov so the authorities will know of the sighting.
Promethia or Tulip tree?
Sun, Jun 28, 2009 at 6:50 PM
Hello Wonderful Bug People.
Working at a horse farm in Uxbridge Ontario, many mornings provide Moths and Bugs that need ID. I love your site and we now have a group waiting for me to go home and identify, the beautiful and strange things we see. I have my trusty camera at the ready so I can compare with your photos. Thanks for help identifying a Giant Toe Biter, and Luna Moth.
We had this visitor last week. I was hoping it was a Promethia or a Tulip Tree, but thinking it is probably Cecropia?
Thanks for the great site, and helping us appreciate (no longer so icky) bugs.
I’ll send our Luna as well. It was huge.
I hope your camping trip was only buggy in a good way.
Leslie Tunnicliff / Archer’s Grove Farm
Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada
Cecropia Moth
Dear Leslie,
Your letter arrived while we were still in Northern California at a wedding, and we are trying desperately to post as many submissions as possible. Mail really piled up in our absence and it continues to arrive in droves daily. We are going through older submissions in search of a subject line we remembered because of an unusual posting of a Purplescent Longhorn we just posted, and we thought, perhaps, that the other letter might also contain an image of a Purplescent Longhorn. Needless to say, we stumbled upon some intriguing subject lines we missed previously, including yours. We were so touched by your kind letter we decided that we needed to take the time to post your letter and photo of a Cecropia Moth. The Luna Moth photo is also quite nice.
Luna Moth
Large Moth-like bug!
Hello Bugman! My son found this out on our back deck this morning. I believe it looks like a large moth type insect. We live in east-central Indiana. Please help me to identify it and give me some other information on it! Thank You!
Megan and Kegan
Shirley, IN
Imperial Moth
Dear Megan and Kegan,
Your moth is an Imperial Moth, Eacles imperialis, a species well represented on BugGuide and in our own archives, though this is the first specimen we are posting this year. Male Imperial Moths have more purple markings on their wings, and this would indicate that your individual is a male Imperial Moth.
Big red/white(yellow?) moth
Thu, Jul 2, 2009 at 9:22 AM
Hi! I found this moth this morning hanging out in my yard. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of what it could be? thanks!
Danielle
Charlotte, NC
Royal Walnut Moth
Hi Danielle,
This beauty is a Royal Walnut Moth or Regal Moth. In about September, we will begin receiving identification requests for its spectacular caterpillar, the Hickory Horned Devil.
big green moth
Tue, Jun 30, 2009 at 7:01 AM
We’re in Petawawa, Onatario and recently have had several of these beautiful moths visit us. The smallest one we saw was bigger than any moth we’ve ever seen, and the largest spanned the palm of my hand.
Anderson Family
Petawawa, Ontario, Canada
Luna Moth
Dear Anderson Family,
Congratulations on your Luna Moth sightings. The Luna Moth, which is native to eastern North America from Florida to Canada, is probably the most distinctive North American Moth. It is unlikely that it could be confused with any other species. The Luna Moth is one of the Giant Silk Moths that only lives a few days as an adult, long enough to mate and lay eggs. It has no functional mouth parts and it cannot eat as an adult. Your sighting is our northernmost report this year. Florida sightings generally begin in February and as mild weather moves north, so do the Luna Moth emergences. The moth has spent its metamorphosis period in a pupa encased in a cocoon loosely spun around a leaf that falls to the ground and is buried in leaf litter.
Polythemus Love
Mon, Jun 29, 2009 at 10:13 AM
This couple was observed hanging from an impatian basket on my deck this morning in Kent, Ohio. The romance lasted all morning long.
Lifelong Moth Watcher
Kent, OH
Mating Polyphemus Moths
Dear Lifelong Moth Watcher,
We were lucky enough to see a female Polyphemus Moth on the observation tower at Fellow’s Riverside Garden in Mill Creek Park in Youngstown Ohio in early June. Your mating Polyphemus Moths are a welcome addition to our Bug Love section. Thanks for your contribution. The male with his more feathered antennae is the upper individual.
Moth/Butterfly/Insect???
Sun, Jun 28, 2009 at 9:24 AM
Found this in my garden today(28 th June 2009) on outside wall of the house.Unable to ascertain what it is- can you help
Hilary Ball
Lancashire UK
Elephant Hawk-Moth
Hi Hilary,
This lovely moth goes by the unglamorous name of Elephant Hawk-Moth, Deilephila elpenor. The UK Moths Website has this to say about the Elephant Hawk-Moth: “The English name of this moth is derived from the caterpillar’s fanciful resemblance to an elephant’s trunk.
The adults are attractively coloured pink and green affairs, with a streamlined appearance. They fly from May to July, visiting flowers such as honeysuckle ( Lonicera ) for nectar.
The larvae feed mainly on rosebay willowherb ( Epilobium angustifolium ), but also other plants as well, including bedstraw ( Galium ).
It is a common species in most of Britain, including Scotland, where it has increased its range in recent years.” That range expansion might be a symptom of global warming.
Enormous moth almost the size of a toothpick
Sat, Jun 27, 2009 at 7:20 PM
I found this moth this morning as I was leaving my house. I could hardly believe it was a moth at all,it is by far the largest I have ever seen in my whole life. Very unusual to find one this large in Newfoundland but here it is. I am actually quite terrified of ALL moths in general but seeing as this one is the size of a small bird and I am not afraid of birds,I’m ok with it.
It never moved a muscle all day but has gone completely mad inside it’s glass tonight. I fully intend on releasing it in the AM when it is less agressive and hopefully asleep. I certainly wouldn’t want it turning on me. Anyway could you please tell me just what sort of moth this is? The toothpick in the picture is standard size so as to give you an idea of it’s size. I couldn’t get a shot of it’s underside as it is very angry with me and not likely to sit still for a photo op.
Any information you might have on it is appreciated.
Cyndie from Newfoundland
Conception Bay South,Newfoundland. Sitting on my driveway.
Laurel Sphinx
Hi Cyndie,
Using Bill Oehlke’s awesome website, we quickly identified your Sphinx Moth as a Laurel Sphinx, Sphinx kalmiae. According to the site: “Laurel Sphinx larvae feed primarily on lilac and fringe. … Larvae have also been found on privet. ”
Laurel Sphinx
Hi Bugman, could you please help identify this moth we have taken a picture of ?
Sun, Jun 28, 2009 at 6:22 AM
We live in the North East of England and we found this guy clinging to the outer wall of my Dad’s house near the porch, he has been sitting there for a few days. We have been able to have a good look at him. He looks about 3 inches wide with a body length of 1.5 inches, with brown body colours rather like a tree, with a fine black outline. His wings have a crinkled appearance also, they don’t appear straight and his body is quite thick in appearance which narrows down and turns up at the end. He has identical white markings on his wings like small half moon shapes. He could be quite common I don’t know but we thought he looked kinda special and would appreciate your help to find out what species he is. Sorry if I am calling our moth a he as I don’t have any knowledge of bugs he could well be a she! Thank you for your site, my family and I have been looking at the range of different bug’s most of which we hav’nt ever come across before and they are a delight!
Jo North East England
Sunderland North East England
Poplar Hawk-Moth
Hi Jo,
This is a Poplar Hawk-Moth, Laothoe populi. According to the UK Moths website, it is: ”
Probably the commonest of our hawk-moths, it has a strange attitude when at rest, with the hindwings held forward of the forewings, and the abdomen curved upwards at the rear. If disturbed it can flash the hindwings, which have a contrasting rufous patch, normally hidden. Distributed commonly throughout most of Britain, the adults are on the wing from May to July, when it is a frequent visitor to light. The larvae feed on poplar ( Poplar ), aspen ( P. tremula ) and sallow ( Salix ). “
Moth?
Fri, Jun 26, 2009 at 3:05 PM
Here is another bug that I am curious about. It was on the same wall as the Stag Beetle. I think it is quite stunning.
Chris Bullard
Wilson, NC
Virginia Creeper Sphinx
Hi Chris,
Your moth is a Virginia Creeper Sphinx or Grapevine Sphinx, Darapsa myron, and we identified it on Bill Oehlke’s fabulous website. We are going to include Bill Oehlke in our response to you so he can add your sighting information to the data he is compiling on species distribution.
Pretty Bug
Wed, Jun 24, 2009 at 3:00 PM
This may be the prettiest insect I have ever photographed — but what the heck is it?? Any help would be appreciated.
Bob Blaney
Manitoulin Island, Canada
Virginia Ctenuchid
Hi Bob,
This is a moth known as the Virginia Ctenuchid, Ctenucha virginica. Interestingly, we just posted a photo of a close relative, the Veined Ctenuchid, Ctenucha venosa, also from Canada. What was most interesting is that the Veined Ctenuchid typically ranges in the American Southwest, and it was about 1000 miles from home. The Virginia Ctenuchid is the only true eastern member of the genus. The orange and blue coloration of the moth looks beautiful with the magenta blossom, a thistle we believe. You may read more about the Virginia Ctenuchid on BugGuide.
Blue Bug with Orange Head
Wed, Jun 24, 2009 at 5:00 PM
Found this flying through my garage tonight at sunset in southern Ontario, Canada. Wrongly identified it quickly on the net as a Pine False Webworm, but the wings clearly indicate that it is something else. 2nd one I’ve seen in the area in 2 days and am wondering if there is an invasive species to be concerned about.
Jason
Ontario, Canada
Veined Ctenucha
Hi Jason,
We are a bit puzzled by your specimen, so we are contacting Julian Donahue, a specialist in the Arctiid Moths. This looks like a member of the genus Ctenucha (pronounced “ten U ka”) but BugGuide only list the Virginia Ctenucha, Ctenucha virginica from your area. It more closely resembles the Veined Ctenucha, Ctenucha venosa, but the Butterflies and Moths of North America lists its range as being nearly 1000 miles south and west of Ontario. Hopefully, Julian will give us a prompt reply. The fly in your one photo is a Spiny Tachinid Fly, Paradejeania rutilioides. According to BugGuide, adults take nectar and larvae are internal parasites of Tiger Moth Caterpillars.
Spiny Tachinid Fly and Veined Ctenucha
Expert Comment from Julian Donahue
It’s Ctenucha venosa, alright, a species of the Southwest and Mexico.
Are you sure it’s from Ontario, Canada, and not Ontario, California (I don’t know of any California records, but it is more likely to have been accidentally imported here than to Canada).
If it is really from Canada, pass the photo and details on to Dr. Don Lafontaine, the noctuoid specialist at the Canadian National Collection in Ottawa–he would be greatly interested in Canadian records of this species.
Julian
Ed. Comment
Could it be that this unusual sighting is yet another sign of global warming?????
More Expert Commentary
Hi Daniel & Jason -
As Julian points out, this is definitely a noteworthy record if it is from Ontario; the nearest documented records of venosa are from northeastern Kansas. Since this conspicuous species is not known to occur between Kansas and Ontario, where the fauna is quite well-known, it is highly unlikely that this is a natural range expansion as might be the case with ‘global warming’; it more likely represents an accidental introduction by way of plant material (the larvae feed on grasses and sedges). I occasionally identify C. virginica cocoons attached to shipped nusrsery plants – this may be a similar case.
Jason, since this would be the first documented record of this species for Canada and well outside its known range, could you please provide me with the exact locality and date? Even better would be one or more specimens sent here, also with collecting data – I can give you more info if you are able to do this.
Cheers,
Chris
PS – the tachinid fly in the photo is Hystricia abrupta, a widespread species in northeastern North America; Paradejeania rutilioides is a much larger, differently patterned species that occurs in the southwestern US
B. Christian Schmidt, Ph.D.
Entomologist, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids & Nematodes/.
Please help us identify this beautiful moth!
Tue, Jun 23, 2009 at 8:16 AM
Hey Mr. Bugman! We LOVE your website and use it to identify little critters we find around our wooden lot in North Central Maryland on the PA line. This morning we spotted this gorgeous moth, took pictures and immediately tried to identify it on your site…with out much success or time to spend looking. Please let us know if you can help us out. I have attached several pictures as it was so beautiful that I took A Lot! Thanks for all you do to provide such an educational site for us to view (we are homeschoolers, use it often and have spread the word to others)
Kindly, Valerie Corkran
North Central Maryland (Manchester)
Tulip Tree Silkmoth
Hey Valerie,
We love getting enthusiastic letters with wonderful photos like yours. This is a female Tulip Tree Silkmoth, Callosamia angulifera. You can read more about it on BugGuide. We feel confident that it is not the closely related and similar appearing Promethea Moth, Callosamia promethea.
Tulip Tree Silkmoth
White moth with blue and black spots
Sun, Jun 21, 2009 at 8:30 AM
I found this in northwest Louisiana close to the TX border about a month ago I think he was on his last leg. I was able to pick him up and move him out of harms way. I looked through your moth section and found no pics. I’d like to know what he is.
LaTonia
NW Louisiana near Texas border
Giant Leopard Moth
Of LaTonia,
Of the four identification requests for the Giant Leopard Moth, Hypercompe scribonia, we have received since Friday, your sighting was the furthest west and south. Your moth is missing the scales from the tips of the wings, indicating either it is an older moth, or that it has encountered some type of trauma. We are thrilled to be able to post all four letters so our readership will have a clear idea of the range of this moth, and also that despite the 1000s of miles separating them, their biological clocks are ticking on the same schedule.
Leopard Looking Cicada?
Mon, Jun 22, 2009 at 11:01 AM
My grandmother found this bug outside of my house near Cincinnati, Ohio. It was flying, but flew into a spider web, and when we went back to check it, it was on the concrete next to the house. The body of it looked kind of like a caterpillar, and was entirely black and white. It appeared unable to fly, so my grandmother and I moved it to the grass. When we went back to check on it, it was gone.
Kirsten Grimsley
Midwest, United States
Giant Leopard Moth
Hi Kirsten,
In four days, we have received at least four requests to have a Giant Leopard Moth, Hypercompe scribonia, identified, and your sighting was from the furthest north. The southernmost sighting was in Louisiana. The tips of the wings of your moth, also known as an Eyed Tiger Moth, are missing many scales, no doubt because of the trauma associated with the spider web.
On the outskirts of Chapel Hill, NC
Sun, Jun 21, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Does anyone know what type of Moth this is???
Geo
Chapel Hill, NC
Giant Leopard Moth
Hi Geo,
We received at least four letters in as many days requesting that we identify the Giant Leopard Moth, Hypercompe scribonia, and your photo is our favorite.
Leopard printed moth?
Fri, Jun 19, 2009 at 3:46 PM
Bugman,
My mother stumbled across this pretty moth(?) in our kitchen just a little while ago, hanging out on the curtain above the dryer. The rumbling of the dryer doesn’t seem to be bothering him, as he’s just sitting there calmly. He’s like an off-white color, and covered in black spots that seem to resemble the rosettes on leopards or ocelots. I’ve never seen anything like him before, so what is he? Besides pretty that is!
Sydney
Maryland, USA
Giant Leopard Moth
Hi Sydney,
In the past four days, we have received at least four letters requesting that we identify the Giant Leopard Moth, Hypercompe scribonia, a species of Tiger Moth. According to BugGuide, it it also called the Eyed Tiger Moth or Great Leopard Moth. Of all the requests, your letter was our favorite, so we will be posting it.
It looks like a fighter plane
Sun, Jun 21, 2009 at 12:55 AM
this was spotted in london last night whilst filling my car with fuel. it looks like a mini stealth fighter plane with a thick scorpion like stinger on its back. it wasnt bothered by me being there and remained totally still.
very creepy, never seen anything as aggressive looking as this, it had defined camouflage patterns and a a streamlined look.
what is it, how rare is it? should i have put it in a jar and kept it?
David
London, England
Lime Hawk Moth
Hi David,
This is a Lime Hawkmoth, Mimas tiliae, and according to the UKMoths Website it is: “A reasonably common species in the southern half of Britain, it was most frequent in the London area, where there are still extensive tree-lined avenues. In recent years its distribution has spread northwards and is now regularly found well into North Yorkshire and beyond. “ The larvae, which are known as Hornworms, feed on lime, alder, birch and elm tree leaves. We do not believe you should have put it in a jar and kept it. Though we are not opposed to keeping insects in jars long enough to observe them, we believe they are best when left in the wild. We have had other members of the Sphinx or Hawk Moth family Sphingidae referred to as stealth bombers because of their appearance.
Huge moth on Lounge chair
Fri, Jun 19, 2009 at 8:12 AM
Hello there, I came across this website a couple months ago when I was randomly surfing the internet. I think this is a great asset because I’ve always encountered some downright weird bugs here in the tropics. I encountered this moth early one morning after waking up. I must admit, I’m a sissy when it comes to bugs so I inched my way back inside my house without even taking my eye off the moth to ensure that it wouldn’t fly at me. lol. It was pretty big, about 5 inches across and I was amazed at how pretty it was and sort of silky looking. I would greatly appreciate it if you could tell me what it is or at least offer a suggestion because I have been curious about it for a long long time. Thank you!
Petra
Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies
Rhescyntis species from Trinidad
Hi Petra,
This is a Giant Silk Moth in the family Saturniidae, and the best place to identify specimens from this family from around the world is on Bill Oehlke’s private website: The World’s Largest Saturniidae Site. Since there was no way to search the species from Trinidad, we searched Venezuela. You should know that islands around the world are notorious (that is a good thing) for having endemic species and subspecies because the longer they have no contact with their nearest relatives on the mainland, the more evolutionary changes result in distinctly different populations. This is the foundation of Charles Darwin’s studies in the Galapagos Islands. We have identified you moth as being in the genus Rhescyntis and the two species found in Venezuela are Rhescyntis hippodamia and Rhescyntis hermes. Of the two, Rhescyntis hermes is the darker moth. The subspecies Rhescyntis hippodamia norax, which is found in Central America including Panama might be the frontrunner for the proper identification. We finally located an image of Rhescyntis hippodamia on the Moths of Belize website, and this was the only image of the genus we could find that has public access. It should be noted that your photo is not of the highest quality, and this might make exact identification quite difficult. Posting your letter and image has taken us over an hour due to the research and the lethargy of our long outdated computer. We really need to buy a new computer which will facilitate faster postings and enable us to post more letters per day. We have other work to do today and this may be our only posting today.
