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| Leopard Moth (Zeuzera pyrina) |
After clearing out all the Caddis flies and midges, we made
some great discoveries: five new species! Current Count: 218.
The Leopard Moth (Zeuzera
pyrina) was resting on the sheet nearby the trap. This is typical of its
behavior as it’s a nocturnal moth but can often be found out in the open during
the daytime. It doesn’t seem very safe for such a conspicuously colored moth. Zuezera is a misspelling for ‘zanzara’ (Italian for gnat) in respect of its
larva’s bite. The larvae mine into the wood of living trees, an impressive
feat for such small mouths. Pyrina
(pear) is one of the types of trees that the larvae eat.
 |
| White Satin Moth (Leucoma salicis) |
The White Satin Moth (Leucoma
salicis) was strikingly white and had a furry head. With its clean and soft
appearance, it could be the poster child for luxurious living… if only such
establishments were more welcoming of insects. Leucoma means ‘white hair’ and salicis
comes from Salix, the larvae’s
foodplant.
 |
| Agapeta zoegana |
We were thankful to find the Agapeta zoegana because we prematurely released one earlier in the
week, thinking it was just the Agapeta
hamana with a more saturated yellow coloring. Agapeta (beloved or desirable) comes from its attractive
appearance. Zoegana is derived from
J. Zoega, a Swiss entomologist who trapped the moth while he was staying at
Carl Linnaeus’ residence. Linnaeus, as you may know, was an eighteenth century
scientist responsible for the binomial nomenclature system. Some people have
all the connections!
 |
| Aspilapteryx tringipennella* |
Next
we found the Aspilapteryx tringipennella. Patrick pointed this
micro-moth out to me, because I’d overlooked it. Aspilapteryx means
‘spotted wing’ and tringipennella means ‘Tringa wing’ for the wing of
the sandpiper bird’s genus which it was thought to resemble.
.jpg) |
| Red-barred Tortrix (Ditula angustiorana) |
There
were a few other beautiful moths this morning. They were not new, but I couldn’t
resist posting their photographs. The Mother of Pearl looked like a macro-moth but it is actually classified as a micro. The Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing has a green head, yellow underwings, and a pinkish underside. Its incredibly colorful for a moth that just looks dark black at first glance.
 |
| Mother of Pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis) |
 |
| Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua janthe) |
-Post
by Helen Levins
*may be Metzneria metzneriella - Jane Wu
*may be Metzneria metzneriella - Jane Wu
