Subject: Is this a chickweed moth?
Geographic location of the bug: Palm Bay, Florida
Date: 11/10/2017
Time: 05:41 PM EDT
I’ve seen a few of these in the weeds around my house. The pictures of chickweed moths I’ve seen are mostly yellow with a bit of pink. These guys are mostly pink with a bit of yellow. Are they some kind of geometer?
Peace from Florida!
How you want your letter signed: Bill
Dear Bill,
We believe we have correctly identified this pretty little pink and orange moth as a Coffee-Loving Pyrausta Moth, Pyrausta tyralis, thanks to The Moth Photographers Group. According to BugGuide: “Munroe lists the larval host as the wild coffee Seminole balsamo (Psychotria nervosa, Rubiaceae), which is limited to Florida. HOSTS database also lists purplestem beggarticks (Bidens connata pinnata, Asteraceae), and species of Dahlia (Asteraceae).” The flower upon which your individual is feeding appears to be a Beggar’s Tick, based on the image posted to Emily Compost.
Thanks for that great information.
Peace,
Bill