The Moth and Me #12

The latest edition of The Moth and Me, #12, is up over at The Skeptical Moth. Chris has done a great job compiling the varied posts, in the process reflecting on his own “mothing journey”. You should, at the very least, head over to check out this month’s TMaM – but while you’re there, spend some time browsing some of Chris’s other excellent content, too!

TMaM heads to Today in NJ Birding History for edition #13 – and despite convention, I consider 13 to be a lucky number, so make sure you remember to participate in what will surely be an outstanding edition! Send your submission to Jennifer (ammodramus88 AT gmail.com) or to myself (canadianowlet AT gmail.com) by July 13.

We’re looking for hosts for August and beyond! It’s easy and fun, and only takes an hour or two (or several, if you’re the type to go crazy with it…). If you’re interested in hosting, send me an email indicating what month you’d like to sign up for.

Flame-shouldered Dart

Flame-shouldered Dart
Ochropleura implecta
Hodges #10891
Fields and meadows.
Mid-spring through summer.

Bilobed Looper

Bilobed Looper
Megalographa biloba
Hodges #8907
Open field, meadow and agricultural habitats. Caterpillars feed on many wild and cultivated plants, including dandelion, alfalfa and barley.
Early spring through late fall. In northern parts of range, migrant only (can’t survive the winter).

Io Moth

Male (females are reddish instead of yellow)

Io Moth
Automeris io
Hodges #7746
Many habitats; caterpillars use wide variety of hostplants.
Mid-spring to mid-fall.

Toadflax Brocade

Toadflax Brocade
Calophasia lunula
Hodges #10177
Mid-spring through summer.
Fields, meadows, roadsides, “waste places”.
Was introduced to North America in the 1960s in an attempt to control Butter-and-eggs aka Yellow Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris), another introduced species. Studies have shown that while the caterpillars defoliate about 20% of plants, they don’t reduce plant density – I guess the plants are quick to fill in the gaps left by their eaten neighbours. Meanwhile, in the east, the moth has spread from its original release site in Belleville, ON, and Nova Scotia, and is living comfortably through much of the northeast.

Red-fringed Emerald

Red-fringed Emerald
Nemoria bistriaria
Hodges #7046
Deciduous and mixed woods.
Spring and again mid-summer.

Owl-eyed Bird Dropping Moth

Owl-eyed Bird Dropping Moth
Cerma cora
Hodges #9061
Old fields, forest edges. Caterpillars feed on pin cherry and perhaps hawthorn.
Mid-spring to mid-summer.

Curve-toothed Geometer

Curve-toothed Geometer
Eutrapela clemataria
Hodges #6966
Deciduous and mixed woods.
Spring through summer.

Chosen Sallow

Chosen Sallow
Psaphida electilis
Hodges # 10012
Deciduous woods.
Early to mid-spring.

Yellow-veined Geometer

Yellow-veined Geometer
Orthofidonia flavivenata
Hodges #6430
Wet mixed woods, swamps and bogs.
Mid-spring.