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Cecropia Moth

Can you help identify thsi moth?
Hi,
This moth was just spotten in Clayton, NJ. Can you help identify it? Thanks,
Ron

cecropia ron Cecropia Moth

Hi Ron,
Your moth is a Cecropia Moth, one of the Giant Silk Moths.

Posted 16 May 2008 § Giant Silk Moths ‡ Comments (0) °
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Geometrid, not Unknown Tiger Moth from Oaxaca

(05/19/2008) Oaxaca Moth
Dear Bugman,
You were recommended to me as someone who might be able to help me identify this beauty. I took this picture in Oaxaca, Mexico on 10/30/2005. The closest thing I have found on the net are tiger moths… but nothing with these exact markings. In it’s resting pose the moth was approximately 2.5" wing tip to wing tip.
And I echo the sentiment, you have a wonderful site!
joAnn
Los Angeles, CA

tiger moth oaxaca joann Geometrid, not Unknown Tiger Moth from Oaxaca

Hi joAnn,
The best we can do at the moment is that this is a Tiger Moth in the family Arctiidae. We will contact an expert in the family, Julian Donahue, to see if he recognizes the species.

Update: (05/26/2008)
Dear Daniel,
It is not an Arctiid. It is a Geometrid (Subfamily Ennominae). Pantherodes unciaria Guen

Posted 15 May 2008 § ‡ Comments (0) °

Black Witch from Hawaii

Black Witch on Maui?
Aloha –
Found this lovely moth under my house eaves today. Rested there all day. The winds blew it about but it never budged from this perch. The color of the underside of the eves is that lime green… The high contrast certainly helped it show up. That’s a 2×4 next to it in the first photo for size of wing spread. Exact location – Ha`iku, Maui, Hawaii. Date – 15 May 2008 Just wanting to be sure it is a black witch. Had no idea they were here… if it isn’t, what is it, please? Warm tradewinds to you!
Eliza

black witch maui Black Witch from Hawaii

Hi Eliza,
Indeed, you have photographed a Black Witch. We found a website with an excellent section on Black Witch mythology that states: “In Hawaii, Black Witch mythology, though associated with death, has a happier note in that if a loved one has just died, the moth is an embodiment of the person’s soul returning to say goodbye. “

Posted 15 May 2008 § Black Witch ‡ Comments (0) °
What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Squash Vine Borer

name THIS bug?
i found this bug in this garden today, feeding on the squash blossoms. it was very bee-like, but unlike anything i have ever seen.
jade
p.s. i adore your site! i can’t tell you how many times i have found answers there, or how much i enjoy simply perusing the photos and learning more

squash vine borer jade Squash Vine Borer

Hi Jade,
This is a wasp mimic moth known as the Squash Vine Borer, Melittia cucurbitae. The larvae bore in the stems of squash, melons and related plants.

Posted 14 May 2008 § ‡ Comments (0) °

Polyphemus Moth: emerged from cocoon

giant silk moth This cocoon was on a linden (basswood) tree.
I took it off and hung it in my garage..This is the result..I did free it, of course. I will keep the cocoon for my rec room. I have hornet’s nests, various insects, snake skins, turtle shells, etc. here. Just something I do.

polyphemus cocoon moth Polyphemus Moth: emerged from cocoon

Thank you for sending in your marvelous image of a Polyphemus Moth.

Posted 13 May 2008 § Giant Silk Moths ‡ Comments (0) °

Luna Moth

found in Kankakee, IL
I thought this bug was beautiful. It had legs like a grasshopper and hopped like one….yet much more clumsily. (never flew) Could you identify it??

luna jill Luna Moth

This is the most northern sighting we have received this year of a Luna Moth. We expect to be hearing from readers in Maine by the end of the month.

Posted 11 May 2008 § Luna Moth - Rare Specimen ‡ Comments (0) °

Aenetus tegulatus or Aenetus dulcis

(05/14/2008) anaetus tegulatus
From your web site, I think this is anaetus tegulatus. I can’t find out much about her. I live near Albany, Western Australia (south western corner of the country). She seems to be mentioned in places like Queensland. Is she lost, or have I just not looked for the information in the right places? Can you tell me where I can find more information? Thanks,
Sindi

aenetus tegulatus sindi Aenetus tegulatus or Aenetus dulcis

hi Sindi,
Your identification of Aenetus tegulatus is correct, but the spelling in your letter is not. We don’t know if this sighting represents a range expansion, or if the information online is incomplete. At any rate, it is a beautiful green Australian moth.

Update: (05/15/2008) aenetus moth
Dear Daniel,
Sindi’s moth was seen in SW Western Australia. I am wondering if it might be Aenetus dulcis, which is found in WA and has green females, larvae living in Agonis. See http://linus.socs.uts.edu.au/~don/larvae/hepi/dulcis.html Regards,
Grev

Posted 10 May 2008 § Ghost Moths ‡ Comments (1) ° Tagged:

Elm Sphinx

Elm sphinx. very pretty moth in my opinion.
hey bugman,
I found this very pretty elm sphinx (identified by moth guy on bugguide) today and thought i would share a photo with you. this is the first one ive seen, and hopefully not the last. Are they pretty common? anyway, hope you enjoy the photo. I love your website.
Michael D.

elm sphinx michael Elm Sphinx

Hi Michael,
We needed to go to your BugGuide posting to find out your Elm Sphinx, Ceratomia amyntor, was sighted in Tennessee. We rotated your photo to maximize its size on our website. We found a compilation website that has is sighting map with an extensive range.

Posted 09 May 2008 § Hummingbird Moths, Sphinx Moths or Hawk Moths ‡ Comments (0) °

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