Subject: Can you tell me what this is, please?
Geographic location of the bug: Prescott Valley, AZ
Date: 09/10/2017
Time: 05:16 PM EDT
Found this guy on some wood on my patio. Can you tell me what it is, please?
How you want your letter signed: Nancy
Dear Nancy,
We are having trouble identifying your very hairy moth. How large was it? We will contact lepidopterist Julian Donahue to seek assistance.
Hi Julian,
I can’t even figure out a family for this. I have eliminated Lasiocampidae and Cossidae, but I don’t know where to search next.
Any idea?
Thanks
Daniel
Julian Donahue identifies Lappet Moth
Hi Daniel,
I think you overshot it–it IS a lasiocampid: Gloveria arizonensis.
More information here: http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=7696
Curiously, I got an identical inquiry from the LACM entomology department a couple of days ago–for a photo someone submitted from southeastern California.
Julian
Tonight our little friend decided to hang out on our window screen and he had his wings opened a bit more for a better identification. Thank you for finding out what he is.
Nancy in Arizona
