rss Wasp ???
Location: Boynton Beach,Fl.
August 22, 2011 4:21 pm
Good Afternoon
I took this photo in our front driveway and have been unable to identfy it. Any Ideas ?
Signature: Joan in Florida
Polka Dot Wasp Moth
Hi Joan,
Though we have many photos of Polka Dot Wasp Moths on our website, we haven’t posted a new one recently. They really are effective wasp mimics.
Cycnia Inopinatus – larva/pupa/adult, 1 of 2
Location: Naperville, IL
August 22, 2011 12:32 pm
Dear Daniel~
I found this little caterpillar on August 10th, on some asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed). I tentatively ID’ed it as Cycnia Inopinatus, but I’d read that although it might be locally common, overall it is uncommon to rare due to habitat decline. It was certainly the larva of a tiger moth, and its coloration, host plant and region (Great Lakes area) all pointed to the unexpected tiger moth. I placed it in one of my Monarch egg-rearing containers for observation, but before long, and before I could move it, it made its cocoon and pupated on the container’s lid. (Sorry for the red color cast.) It eclosed this morning, and sure enough, it’s a beautiful little cycnia inopinatus, similar in its adult stage to the delicate cycnia moth (cycnia tenera) that you have on your site, but whose larvae are quite different. The photos of the adult are in a separate submission, and I’ve included a side view so that you can see its orange, speckled abdom en. All the best to you!
Signature: Dori Eldridge
Unexpected Cycnia Caterpillar
Cycnia Inopinatus – larva/pupa/adult, 2 of 2
Location: Naperville, IL
August 22, 2011 12:40 pm
Dear Daniel~
Here are the three adult photos of the cycnia inopinatus (unexpected tiger moth) that eclosed this morning. The second photo shows his (?) antennae, which were previously tucked under the body. It flew away before I could get a better side view! Best regards,
Signature: Dori Eldridge
Unexpected Cycnia Cocoon
Hi Dori,
Thank you so much for providing our website with such a thorough documentation of the metamorphosis of the Unexpected Cycnia, Cycnia inopinatus, a new species of Tiger Moth for our website. We are most intrigued with the number of creatures that depend upon milkweed for survival. Readers who want additional information can see the postings for this species on BugGuide.
Unexpected Cycnia Moth
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/
Great Tiger Moth
Location: Bonney Lake, WA
August 3, 2011 3:13 pm
Hello WTB,
Last week I sent you pictures of a Blinded Sphinx Moth I found. Today to my delight my mom spotted this gorgeous beauty on the side of our house. Like the Sphinx, this moth seemed comfortable sitting in my hand and I got a few good pictures that I thought you might enjoy! I only found one other on your site, so here’s more for your collection.
Signature: Amy
Great Tiger Moth
Hi Amy,
Though we actually have multiple images of Great Tiger Moths, Arctia caja, buried in our archives, we always love posting high quality new images. The Great Tiger Moth is found in Eurasia as well as North America. Like many other Tiger Moths, the Great Tiger Moth does not feed as an adult.
Great Tiger Moth
Tasmanian Tiger Moth?
Location: Southport, Tasmania
July 24, 2011 9:34 pm
We found this beautiful fella down in Southport, Tasmania…about as far south as you can get. I really dont have much idea what it could be, but I was looking for pictures of Tigermoth aeroplanes recently and saw they look very much like North American Tiger Moths, complete with the vivid orange under the main wings…but nothing like any Tiger Moths I could find from Australia.
I have found some of the most beautiful moths in this location and have more to share! but would really like to clear up this mystery first.
Thanks
Signature: Dave
Tiger Moth
Hi Dave,
We are posting your Tiger Moth image prior to getting an identification. Perhaps one of our readers will be able to provide a comment. We are also contacting Julian Donahue, an expert in Tiger Moths, to see if he is able to provide any information.
Julian Donahue provides a species identification
Although very similar in appearance to some species of Hyphantria from Mexico, this Australian moth appears to be Spilosoma glatignyi. Like many arctiids, the extent of the black markings is highly variable; this is a relatively dark individual.
Julian
Fantastic! Thanks so much, I cant wait to go back there with an even keener eye and new knowledge to see what I can find!
Dave Scully
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