Nu este o molie neobișnuită, ci unul cu aspect distins. This is Catocala ilia (Erebidae) ((fosta Noctuidae)), și se hrănește cu o mână de stejari. Mi-a venit la lumină în weekend în sudul Illinois, jos în Pădurea de stat Trail of Tears. As with so many other moths this widespread species has a number of variations which may turn out to be distinct – pending a monograph of the species…
I’ve now banked a handful of nice moth images so expect more Monday moths! (even though this is a Friday moth).
How can I resist a post title such as yours? A monograph? Whom, pray-tell, might be publishing such a useful work? =)
Ignoring the otherwise very moth-y appearance of your highlighted moth, in isolation, it’s antennae would certainly have me scratching my head when going through my VERY crude “moth-or-butterfly” examination. Așa, are the tips of the antennae the same width as the rest, generally, no bulb or some such? And feel free to edify if I’m off base. =) I know if I see feathered I think moth, and if I see a bulb or other larger-then-rest-of-antennae blob at the terminus, I think butterfly. Can you clarify/correct/confirm that and apply to this individual?
Multumesc, and looking forward to subsequent posts.
ugh, WHO, not whom. pardon. =)