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.
I like This
I just photographed a ctenuchid moth in Siskiyou County in Northern California. It looks very much like the photo above except the moths here are a bright read on the head instead of orange. How do I post a picture of it? There were dozens of them flying around in the weeds here.
Simply fill in the fields of the Ask What’s That Bug? form and attach a photo. Then send.
I just saw these yesterday at Roessler’s Point, Palos Verdes, CA. They were feeding from the flowers of a Natal plum hedge. Aren’t they far from their natural range?
Without a photo, it is difficult to be certain, but other similar looking moths are found in California, like the Yellow Collared Scape Moth http://bugguide.net/node/view/447 and the Brown Ctenuchid http://bugguide.net/node/view/284059 .
Bugman,
Thank you. I’ll try and take a clear pic next time. Your photo links are very helpful.
Cheers!