Discovered two of these months visiting my wife's Shasta daisies. When either landed, they always positioned their wings as seen in pic.
Does anyone know what kind of moth it is. I have many other pics if more are needed.
It was so sunny that I hand held the camera (Canon 40D, w/ Canon 100 mm Macro lens). I was able to use a fast shutter speed.
Hack
I think it's one of the Skippers.
kwanjin, thanks for the quick reply.
Hack
I found it, thanks to kwanjin.
Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus
Family: HESPERIIDAE (Skippers)
Description - The Fiery Skipper belongs to the subfamily Herperiinae, or Grass Skippers. Generally distinguishable by their large bodies relative to their wings, Skippers are also characterized (as their name suggests) by their rapid, darting flight. The Fiery Skipper is sometimes called the Lawn Skipper.
Distinguishable by its very short antennae, the Fiery Skipper is moth-like in appearance. Its wingspan runs about 1 1/8 - 1 1/4 inches in length. Males are a fiery yellowish-orange with black, toothed margins. A wide black stigma (a gland that releases pheromones to attract females) is visible on the upper forewing. Females are yellowish-brown with small, dusky, dark spots.
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=2066
Hack
This message was edited Jun 28, 2010 4:54 PM
I believe you have it.
There's about a gazillion skippers and many of them look quite similar and are hard to distinguish, but I think you've got the right one.
I think you nailed it, too! Glad I could help.
Thanks, Melody.
Hack
I need to make a MAJOR correction. All Skippers are butterflies, not moths, I don't know why I goofed, I know better.
This is a Fiery Skipper Butterfly.
hack
I figured it was a typo.
Actually, skippers are a very ancient form of butterfly and share characteristics with both them and moths.
