Mothiness.

[jademermaid]

I get some very interesting moths and bugs drawn to the light on my sliding glass door, and I thought I might start recording and figuring out what some of the more interesting ones are.

This fuzzy guy has been hanging out on my screen for a couple of days now, and is as wide as my palm. Keep in mind I have huge hands!



After some Googling, I found out that it is an Imperial moth. So see, I do not just watch porn on my computer!

The other day, I saw what I am almost positive was a White satin moth, though I think they are native to Europe. Is it an invader? Anyway, it was very pretty and had a much more lovely maribou-like hairstyle than this one:



I wish I'd gotten a picture.

Edit: Got one, and now I don't think it is a white satin moth at all!

Great hairdo, though!



Also found this guy:

Comments

[lepidopteragirl.livejournal.com]

Very good research, my dear. Gold star! ;) The last moth (here's a hint) is a moth in the Hawkwing group, and you should find it in that category if you're looking in books or on the web. :)

I had an Imperial moth at one time...I'll have to check and see if I still do. :) The little white one I can probably find in my moth books, but I don't know what it is offhand. There are thousands of little white moths in the world, and it would be no surprise if it had been brought over in cargo from Europe. Many species found in the americas are indeed "invaders" as such. ;) Interesting stuff, eh? :) Yay buggy people!

[myrrhdusa.livejournal.com]

The white fluffy one is still a mystery.

I tried to look under hawkwing moths, but the guides I'm using are Latin names, do you know the Latin name?

[lepidopteragirl.livejournal.com]

Hm...the next name to try is Sphinx moths. There are TOO many to know what latin genus/species is, but the family is most likely Sphingidae. Let me know what you find. :) I'll keep looking for that exact specimen as well.

[lepidopteragirl.livejournal.com]

Here is a great resource I just stumbled into! It seems to be laid out very well and extremely user-friendly. I'll keep looking though...

http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/

An old wive's tale

[gentledaddy.livejournal.com]

My momma used to tell me the "powder" that the moth emits can cause blindness if it gets in my eyes. As a child I feared the dreaded blinding moth powder.

:/

Re: An old wive's tale

[myrrhdusa.livejournal.com]

maybe that one started so kids would leave their wings alone?

Re: An old wive's tale

[gentledaddy.livejournal.com]

No... my mom acted like she was serious... she feared the powder too.
She was very superstitious too... hmmmm...

Re: An old wive's tale

[lepidopteragirl.livejournal.com]

Fun Facts: The "moth powder" is really made up of tiny scales. They are used as dying pigments in some regions (mostly from the tropical blues) and the scales on butterflies literally act as solar panels (ever notice how they hold their wings at different angles in the sunlight?). The only harmful thing about removing the powder is that without enough scales, it inhibits flight ability in the insect. Best not to rub too much off, even if it doesn't make you blind! ;) Silly mothers and their scare tactics. heh.

Re: An old wive's tale

[gentledaddy.livejournal.com]

Cool! Thanks for the lesson!
Yeah... my mom was full of old wive's tales, fears and superstitions.

[ianthe99.livejournal.com]

Ooh... the white ones ae so pretty! I want a fairy cloak that looks like then. ;-)

[sappho413.livejournal.com]

I'm probably not very respectful of the lovely moth, but I think the white one looks a bit like Carol Channing...