Subject: What’s that moth?
Geographic location of the bug: Marin County, Ca
Date: 08/13/2019
Time: 09:16 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: Dear Bugman, Woman or Bugster, Can you tell me what these gorgeous creatures emerging are? They’re on my redwood siding, and there’s a second wee house not yet ready to disgorge its person/s.
How you want your letter signed: Thank you so much!
These appear to be mating Lappet Moths in the genus Tolype, with the remains of a cocoon. We suspect the cocoon originally housed the female in the pair, and the male sensed her pheromones once she emerged. Based on images posted to the Natural History of Orange County, we suspect the species is Tolype distincta. Thanks for also including a good image of the cocoon.