Moth?
Location: Mission, TX
August 16, 2011 9:36 pm
Took this photo at NBC Butterfly Park in Mission, TX. He is about 1/2 ” wide and long.
Signature: Troy Zurovec
Unknown Diurnal Moth
Hi Troy,
We had time to do this last post this morning, but no time to identify. We did not find it on the Texas Entomology site of Diurnal Moths. Perhaps one of our readers will take this identification on today. Is the NBC Butterfly Park open air or a closed pavilion will all imported species? Is this a wild moth or a cultivated moth?
NBC is an open air park, there is no enclosed environment. It is right on the US/Mexico border. This is a wild moth. To my knowlege nothing has been introduced to the park. To my knowledge all plant life in the park is native to the area.
Got an answer today – Orange-spotted Flower Moth, Syngamia florella
White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma)
Location: Naperville, IL
August 16, 2011 9:09 pm
Hello!
You just posted a white marked tussock moth caterpillar. I believe this is the moth version!
Best regards
Signature: Dori Eldridge
White Marked Tussock Moth
Hi Dori,
Thanks so much for sending us a photo of an adult male White Marked Tussock Moth, AKA Rusty Vapor Moth to accompany the image of the caterpillar we just posted. Some of your previous submissions have become part of a new tag: Bug Humanitarian Award.
Dear Daniel~
I am honored, thank you. I believe you and your partners deserve heaps of accolades for your monumental efforts to educate and entertain. I can not sing your praises highly enough. All the best to you.
What kind of moth?
Location: Grants Pass, OR
August 16, 2011 12:40 pm
I live in the woods near Grants Pass, OR. This moth was seen in August, on a butterfly bush. Blue body, red/orange shoulders, black wings, feathered antenae. From end to end, it was about 1 inch long or slightly longer with wings folded. I haven’t ever seen it here before.
Signature: Lucy
Ctenucha species
Hi Lucy,
This is a diurnal Tiger Moth in the genus Ctenucha. Generally, unless a species is very distinctive or very range limited, we are happy if we can get an identification to the genus level. Since we are not professionally trained, sometimes a family will do, and in very difficult identifications like Mayflies or Solifugids, we are content with the order level. We found a reference on BugGuide to a Ctenucha from Oregon that looks very similar to your individual, and it is identified as rubroscapus/multifaria species complex. This identification remark has us very intrigued: “Identification
New Information!
I heard back from Chris Schmidt today, and the bottom line is that all the characteristics mentioned are not consistent enough to be reliable. And he states they may actually be variations of one species. DNA analysis is forthcoming to determine as such. Here is what Chris stated:
“Hi Jason – the taxonomy of this group needs some work; I suspect rubroscapus and multifaria are slight geographic variants of the same species. The supposed diagnostic diff’s don’t hold up in series of specimens (even from the same place), since the extent of the black on the patagia and white on the costa are both variable. I can find no diff’s to reliably separate the two, although I suspect there would be subtle ‘average’ diff’s between topotypical series.”
Given that they are not distinguishable by appearance and cover the same general distribution, it may be best to lump rubroscapus/multifaria into a temporary species complex until the mtDNA analysis is presented and the systematics worked out.
… J.D. Roberts, 18 August, 2008″
We somehow think it is sad that we humans are so obsessed with species identification that we are having to resort to DNA analysis, which means killing and destroying a specimen. The insects and arthropods know how to recognize their own species and if their confusing appearances thwart we humans, there must be a good reason.
Ctenucha species
Well, that’s a lot of info. Genus level is certainly good enough for me!
Thank you for all your work. I am humbled by your efforts to help us less experienced and less educated folk out here bug watching. Thank you again; you guys are awesome.
Lucy
what kind of moth is this?
Location: San Jose, CA, USA
August 16, 2011 2:38 pm
Kids found a dark brown, fuzzy caterpillar at the park, and fed it oak leaves. This is what it turned into.
Signature: Catherine
Edward's Glassy-Wing
Hi Catherine,
We would really love for you to send us a photo of the caterpillar as well. This is Edward’s Glassy-Wing, Hemihyalea edwardsi, and we believe this is the first example we have of a living specimen. This California species is a Tiger Moth, and you can see additional images on BugGuide.
mystery flier
Location: Jamestown, RI
August 15, 2011 11:52 am
This photo was taken on 7/23/10 in Jamestown, RI. Haven’t been able to identify it.
Thanks.
Signature: peegee
Orange Collared Scape Moth
Hi peegee,
This is a diurnal member of the Tiger Moth tribe known as the Orange Collared Scape Moth, Cisseps fulvicollis, and it is also called a Yellow Collared Scape Moth. BugGuide has a nice comprehensive page on this species. Your photo is very welcomed as we have not posted a new photo of this species since 2007.
Found on a Milkweed flower
Location: chicago il area
August 15, 2011 10:55 am
Hi,
Thanks for your site. I am unable to identify this one. It was found on a milkweed bloom. HELP 
Thanks – Steve
Virginia Ctenucha and Japanese Beetle on Milkweed
Hi Steve,
WE doubt if you need an identification of the Japanese Beetle buried in the blossoms in the upper left of the inflorescence, but perhaps you do. We suspect you want the identification of the Virginia Ctenucha, a diurnal Tiger Moth. You can see BugGuide for additional information on the Virginia Ctenucha.
Thanks Daniel,
I adjusted the post on my wordpress site to indicate your help identifying this moth.
Thanks – Steve
http://photoindex.wordpress.com/2011/08/15/bug-on-a-milkweed-bloom-need-to-identify-this-one/
Large Red/Orange & white striped moth or butterfly?
Location: Conover, NC Jack-in-the-Box
August 13, 2011 2:13 am
I have spent hours looking to identify this big guy. I came out the door, saw him & was mesmerized (I love moths & butterflies). He stayed still long enough for me to measure & photograph him. His body length was approx. 3 1/4” long. His wings were partially closed, but I guess up to 5”. Can you help me identify him, please? Thank you for any help you can provide.
Signature: Ginger in NC
Royal Walnut Moth
Hi GInger,
This is a Regal Moth or Royal Walnut Moth. The Caterpillar is called a Hickory Horned Devil.
1
Pandora Sphynx Moth
Location: Southern California
August 7, 2011 7:58 pm
I just shot this image of what I believe to be a Pandora Sphynx Moth next to my front door in Simi Valley, California (Ventura County, just West of L.A. County)
Is the common tomato worm the larva for this beautiful moth? If not, what is?
I thought you might like the image too.
Signature: Brooks
Achemon Sphinx
Hi Brooks,
This is actually an Achemon Sphinx, not a Pandora Sphinx, but your confusion is understandable since both are in the same genus Eumorpha. Also, the Achemon Sphinx is in the same family as the Tomato Hornworm, but they feed on different plants, and the mature caterpillar of the Achemon Sphinx lacks a horn, as you can see in this image from our archives.
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