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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Luna Moth

On · Category: Luna Moth - Rare Specimen · Add Comment

Subject:  moth?
Geographic location of the bug:  indiana USA
Date: 11/06/2018
Time: 04:00 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  I found this dead moth in my garage. it’s big and beautiful. I am pretty sure it’s a luna moth however this one is all white and not green like the photos I’ve seen on the internet…. So the question is …. is it really a luna moth or does it turn white when it’s dead and dried up?
How you want your letter signed:  dszig

Luna Moth

Dear dszig,
There is much variation in the color of a Luna Moth.  Some individuals are very green while others are quite pale.  Mounted Luna Moths in collections are often quite faded, and we suspect light might cause the coloration to fade.  A faded Luna Moth is pictured on the Manitoba Museum site.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Giant Silkmoth from Uganda is Ludia species

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Subject:  I believe  it’s a moth
Geographic location of the bug:  Uganda,Kampala.
Date: 09/25/2018
Time: 07:01 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  What  is the  name of this moth.
How you want your letter signed:  None

Giant Silkmoth: Ludia species

This is a Giant Silkmoth in the genus Ludia, but we located four different, similar looking species ( Ludia dentata, Ludia hansali eximia, Ludia orinoptena, Ludia pupillata)  on the World’s Largest Saturniidae site, so we cannot say for certain to which species your individual belongs.  FlickR has an image of Ludia dentata for comparison and Silkmoths and More has an image of Ludia orinoptena.

Giant Silkmoth: Ludia species

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Female Io Moth

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Subject:  Moth Outside Our Classroom Door
Geographic location of the bug:  Orlando, FL 32803
Date: 08/27/2018
Time: 04:31 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  Hi!
We found this amazing moth outside our classroom and we would love to find out which species it is.  This is our fifth grade class at Orlando Gifted Academy.
Thank you
How you want your letter signed:  Mrs. Kuerzi’s and Mr. Burnett’s Sudents

Female Io Moth

Dear Mrs. Keurzi’s and Mr. Burnett’s Students,
This impressive moth is a female Io Moth, but she has hidden her most dramatic feature while resting.  If disturbed by a predator like a bird, the Io Moth opens its wings, revealing the colorful eyespots on its underwings, often startling the predator into perceiving a threat that might eat it.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Female Tuliptree Silkmoth

On · Category: Giant Silk Moths Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject:  Moth or butterfly
Geographic location of the bug:  Greenville, SC
Date: 08/11/2018
Time: 06:48 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  We heard this guy flapping his wings between a wall and bookshelf in the garage. I moved the bookshelf to find him very sluggish. He wasn’t interested in flying away and when he triwd, he didn’t get far. We slid him onto some paper and transferred him to the tree. He has since flown off. He might have been traumatized. Girls say butterfly, adults are leaning towards moth. What is it?
How you want your letter signed:  Pedro Aponte

Female Tuliptree Silkmoth

Dear Pedro,
Adults are correct in this matter, however this is not a “guy” but rather a female Giant Silkmoth in the genus Callosamia, probably a Tuliptree Silkmoth, Callosamia angulifera which is pictured on BugGuide.  Male Giant Silkmoths have more feathery antennae that they use to locate females that release pheromones.  Giant Silkmoths only live a few days as adults, long enough to mate and reproduce, so your assistance in releasing this Tuliptree Silkmoth back into nature garners you the Bug Humanitarian tag on the posting. Do you have a tuliptree near your garage?  It is possible that the mature caterpillar left the host tree and found a secluded location to form a cocoon and to pupate, and that location was behind the bookshelf.  Then we she emerged, she found herself trapped.

Female Tuliptree Silkmoth

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Male Polyphemus Moth

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Subject:  Moth??
Geographic location of the bug:  Douglasville, GA
Date: 07/31/2018
Time: 09:16 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  What is this??
How you want your letter signed:  Natalie

Male Polyphemus Moth

Dear Natalie,
This is a male Polyphemus Moth, a species reported on BugGuide from most of the continental United States and Canada.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Newly Eclosed Luna Moth

On · Category: Luna Moth - Rare Specimen · 2 Comments

Subject:  White insect
Geographic location of the bug:  Marietta, GA
Date: 07/30/2018
Time: 07:50 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  Found this in backyard. It has 6 legs, white and fuzzy with green sections on its tail. It resembles a catapilar, but it’s legs are more roach-like and thick.  It has small wings that look almost useless.
How you want your letter signed:  Brian

Freshly Eclosed Luna Moth

Dear Brian,
This is a newly eclosed Luna Moth, meaning it has just emerged from its cocoon, and because its wings have not yet fully expanded and hardened, allowing it to fly, it still maintains the appearance of a caterpillar, somewhat.  A mature Luna Moth is arguably the loveliest North American moth.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination