Tried to find out what this moth is but too many of them have subtle markings like it.
thanks
ID Please
I think it may be a black witch moth
That is beautiful Peg.
Peg:
Yep, this is a female Black Witch moth. Where/when did you take the pic? I haven't seen one yet this year in our area, although they should be showing up about now.
Dale Clark
Dallas County Lepidopterists' Society
www.dallasbutterflies.com
WELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL, Sheila came over my house to drop off some Pipevine Swallowtails larvae on Monday and found a wasp nest in the corner of the patio, there is a bunch of silk ivy placed there to cover the conduit. Soon as she left, I sprayed the nest and the moth flew out of the ivy. It landed on the patio wall and I was just sick because the spray I use is an immediate kill. I watched it for awhile and it flew off, later that day I was watering the Four O'clocks and out it flew. That was several hours later so I hope it didn't get any spray on it. I have never seen one before, it was pretty exciting.
Dale maybe you know the answer to this question? I was on a rampage that day because the wasps stung a few of my black swallowtails. What I saw them do is sting it and fly away. The larva started to loose its fluids fast. Then it fell to the ground and the ants were on it. We were both trying to figure out why the (I think it was a Mahogany wasp) wasp would do that unless it was going to take it back to the nest or eat it there or parasitise it, It didn't make any sense. That was the second time that day it happened. I had the dill plants with the larvae covered with mosquito netting to protect them. The darn thing figured out how to get under it and in the net. Twice I let it out before I realized what was going on. What do you think?
Peg
Ahhh those are nice big moths! We get them in deep south Texas and they tend to roost under the eaves of the house - probably because the woodwork is dark brown - they like those dark places. They really do freak some of the folks out - old wives' tale about them being the harbinger of death...then on the other hand...others say they are a sign of good luck and they bring money. Go figure!!!
Considering we sometimes get a dozen all around the under the house eaves...I haven't seen a beau coups of money and none of my relatives have croaked either!!! :o)
Here's a male Black Witch...which we often jokingly call a Warlock!
Oh and they readily come to butterfly brew or rotting fruit.
~ Cat
This message was edited Jun 22, 2010 6:46 PM
Maybe that is why I had one, I have the brew out too. I don't ck. it all the time at night, so that can be a possibility why it was here. A FREE MEAL!
Yeah...way cool when you check on the bait at night and see some big red eyes looking back at ya!!!
Ayeeeeeeeee!!! It's the Moth Man!!!! :o) I watched that movie too!
Peg:
Don't know why the wasps would kill the larvae and then not eat them/take them back to the nest. Perhaps they sensed your presence and got the heck out of Dodge.
Definitely check out your bait at night. There are lots of Underwing moths (Catocala spp.) flying right now, so you could easily have some of them at the bait as well.
Dale Clark
Dallas County Lepidopterists' Society
www.dallasbutterflies.com
How do you make 'butterfly brew' and how do you set it out?
Here's a link to the recipe and some photos on my Dave's Garden Diary.
http://davesgarden.com/community/blogs/t/TexasPuddyPrint/12610/
~ Cat
THANKS!
Of course that recipe is for her S. TX area where butterflies come it droves!! (jealous)
You can cut it down by maybe a fourth and have enough for all year at our houses. LOL!
I went to the store and got ingredients today. Thought I'd make half a batch seeing how late it is getting.
Snicker...snicker :o)
Guess that just means when ya'll from up north have to make a smaller batch ya'll can drink 3/4ths of the beer before you add it to the brew!!! Hic* burp* belch* :o)
~ Cat
LOL!
That's the plan. tee hee
OH Cat .... I was just re-reading this post and realized the picture you posted of the 'warlock' moth is just like I found at work this summer. He wasn't very healthy, maybe already dead, so I stuck him in the freezer and I'm going to get some entomology pins and put him in a frame box. So pretty!
Yes...the Black Witch Moth is cool looking. The males aren't really called warlocks - it's just play on the name since it seems weird to call a male moth a black witch :o)
Lots of folks pass down all kinds of folklore about them being the harbinger of death. They say if one's on your door or the walls of your house - someone close to you will kick the bucket...guess they don't realize these moths like dark places to roost. The front porch of my house is dark and shaded and I can usually find one or two of these moths perched on the brickwork :o)
On the other hand...others say they bring good luck...that the eye spots are symbols of coins.
Haven't kicked the bucket or won the lottery...so much for folklore!!!
Tpp....your Black Witch males is sort of like the Queen males...seems strange to call them a gender specific name.
So true Sheila, so true!!! I'd forgotten about that.
Just like those Painted Ladys!!! Does that mean the male Painted Ladys are cross dressers? :o) How about those California Sisters, Band Celled Sisters and the others? Gets you to thinking!!! Don't guess the male Julia Longwings like being called Julias :o)
And Sara longwings....and on an on. Guess whomever tagging them didn't consider that!