rss weird looking florida moth
hello,
I took these pics outside my door. i live in SW Florida. let me know what this jet fighter moth is.
jay smith
port charlotte fl.
Hi Jay,
This streamlined, aerodynamic moth is a Tersa Sphinx, Xylophanes tersa.
Hawaiian Moth
Bugman,
Aloha. We had a interesting moth land on the deck outside our office the other day and despite our best effort we don’t know what type of moth it is (not that any of us are any sort of expert). I think we agree that it’s some sort of sphinx moth, but no one agrees what type. No one saw it flying, so we can’t say much for the movement, but it was strikingly green. We’re not too far from Honolulu in an industrial area. We see black witch moths fairly often, but not usually anything like this one. If you could help us in identifying this one, we’d be grateful.
Matt
Hi Matt,
This is a Yam Hawkmoth, Theretra nessus. You can find information on Bill Oehlke’s wonderful website which indicates that this species is not native, but was introduced to Hawaii.
not an Emperor Gum Moth Caterpillar?
Hi,
I almost stepped on this one this morning, I had thought it was an Emperor Gum Moth Caterpillar, but after looking at other photo’s on the web, it doesn’t seem "tufty" enough. looking at the photo (and measuring my hand), it’s probably about 90mm long near Ballarat in Central/Western Victoria, Australia Also seen at same location, I was assuming that this … is an Emperor Gum Moth ? can you confirm any of my ramblings ? thanks,
Glenn
Hi Glenn,
In our opinion, both your caterpillar and moth are a close relateive of the Emperor Gum Moth, the Helena Gum Moth, Opodiphthera helena.
Unknown
Please identify the bug in the attached photo. I’ve looked at the flies and wasp lists, but I have not found a match. Thank you.
Ron Fifer
St. Helena Island, SC
Hi Ron,
This is a Polka Dot Wasp Moth. Just today, we removed our Bug of the Month for January from our homepage, and it was a Polka Dot Wasp Moth.
Big moth in Florida
Hello
Just sent the pics of the moth in Florida and just wanted to introduce myself and say hello. I do love bugs and considering I have run my own lawn service here in Florida for the last 17 years, I do have a backlog of bug pics. I’ll pace myself. Glad your site is here. I always take the pics but alot of them just remain a mystery. Always have a critter keeper in the truck and have brought home many. Favorite to date was a bark mantis. It had personality. Just saying hello. Found this on my front porch. We have some visiting clear wing hummingbird moths and that’s what I thought it was at first. But it’s not. What is it? My best guess would be the Virginia Creeper Sphinx but not exactly. It was calm for a bit then raised it’s wings and stretched them for a bit then flew away. Video of that attached too. Fantastic moth. Please let me know what it is.
Mike Suchora
Orlando, FL
Hi Mike,
Your moth is a Gaudy Sphinx, Eumorpha labruscae. Many of the images we have received of this species are a more vivid green, while your moth is a lovely olive color. You can find wonderful photos and information on Bill Oehlke’s great website.
3 bugs, three views
The first two are of course the same bug (?)….on my backdoor screen in Skokie, Illinois this past summer. It stayed for hours letting me shoot it and i didn’t notice the stingers until i’d gotten the photos up on the computer (scary). The second bug (fly?) was on my window so this is the bottom of him. Do you know what they are?
Renee Rendler-Kapla
Hi Renee,
The insect represented by two photos is a Plume Moth in the family Pterophoridae. Based on images posted to BugGuide, we believe it to be Himmelman’s Plume Moth, Geina tenuidactyla. The stingers are harmless. Your other insect is some species of Crane Fly.
Backyard Moth?
Dear Bugman:
Occasionally, I will find one of these insects attached to inner surface of my screened-in backyard patio. To me it appears to be some kind of moth but perhaps you can idetify it for me. Thanks.
Emory Brown
Largo, Florida
Hi Emory,
This is a Mournful Sphinx, Enyo lugubris. You can find photos and information on Bill Oehlke’s awesome website. According to the site: “In Florida larvae have been reported on larvae on Possum Vine ( Cissus sicyoides ) and Pepper Vine ( Ampelopsis arborea )”, so if you have those vines on your patio, it might explain the frequency of the sightings. It appears as though the wings of the specimen in your photo have not completely expanded and hardened after metamorphosis.
Arctiidae Nyctemera secundiana
Hi guys,
Hope you like this pic of Arctiidae Nyctemera secundiana. T his is called the Magpie Moth here in Queensland. There are other moths given the same common name in this family as well. Taken on the Gold Coast 20th January 2008. Some great pics being posted on your site lately, cudos to digital cameras getting better and better. regards,
Trevor Jinks
Australia
Hi Trevor,
Thanks for sending us your image of a Magpie Moth. Wikipedia also names several other species with the same common name. The ubiquity of the digital camera has been a boon to our submissions.
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