Subject: diurnal moth from Sulawesi, Indonesia
Geographic location of the bug: Lore Lindu NP, north-central Sulawesi
Date: 05/13/2018
Time: 04:28 AM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: Dear bugman –
Could you please help ID this day moth from central Sulawesi, feeding rather unglamorously on some roadkill? It was seen on the 19th of September 2017 on a road through pristine humid forest at an elevation of about 1500m. I think perhaps it could be form the genus Milionia, but I am not a moth expert (at all!). Many thanks!
How you want your letter signed: Isidoreajar
Dear Isidoreajar,
Based on what we have found on the internet, we believe your genus identification Milionia is correct, but we cannot find any individuals with these exact marking. Perhaps it is sexual dimorphism and/or regional color variations. This image from Etsy and this posting to Wikipedia are similar but not exactly correct.
Dear Daniel –
Thank you for your prompt reply: I was prepared to be astounded if you had come back with a positive ID as I have had a pretty thorough search (with my limited expertise though!) through the obvious online avenues. Having said that, M. delicatula is very close, just lacking the small red forewing markings. I’ll keep trying!
Many thanks again: your efforts are really much appreciated.
All v best wishes,
Jonathan Meyer