Showing posts with label Moths. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Moths. Show all posts

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Police Car Moths on Turkey Flats Trail

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Today my friend Scott and I went for a nature hike on Turkey Flats Trail, near Glade Park, Colorado. We discovered a "new-to-us" moth, which turns out to be a Police Car Moth (Gnophaelia vermiculata). At first I wasn't sure that this was a moth and not a butterfly. It has a relatively delicate build, apparent during its clumsy flight, and looks more like a butterfly while flying. Upon landing, however, its resting delta wing pattern and characteristic moth-like antennae give it away. This moth features bold black and white coloring, along with bright orange coloration of the frontal thorax region, which could be reminiscent of two police car siren lights when viewing this moth head on.



Police Car Moth




Short video of a police car moth.



Can you find all three?







A female is on the left, a male to her right.
You can tell by looking at their antennae.
The male's antennae are more feathery and broad.



Police Car Moth - showing bright orange frontal thorax region.



Head on view showing the thorax "lights" of the police car moth.






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Thursday, July 11, 2013

Cool Moth Spotted in Ohio

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My sister spotted this cool looking moth in Bellefontaine, Ohio. It was resting on a pumpkin leaf. I have no idea (for the moment) what kind of moth this is. I'm guessing that someone out there will know. The moth is characterized by its "beefy" front legs, clear to iridescent wings (depending on the viewing angle), a tuft on its rear abdomen, and the raising of its abdomen while resting. Any suggestions?



















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