I found this moth or butterfly size 1/4" on the Scabiosa today. It was the prettiest shade of pink. I could not see the antennae with a magnifying glass to try and identify whether its a moth or not. When I looked at this photo it looks like its antennae are long and flat against the wings. Any idea?
I think it is a Southern Pink Moth
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=6732
I think you have it Josephine....there are a lot of color variations but same moth.
http://bugguide.net/node/view/9722/bgimage try page 14 & 15 if the link works.
This message was edited Aug 8, 2010 2:55 PM
Sorry, I thought I wrote back to Josephine, its definitely a Southern Pink which I am now obsessing over. Their is no infor. on life cycle or host plants, map says it shouldn't be in this area. Sooooo, I have to find that out. I see three now where there is only one. YEAH!
Peg:
Actually they are quite common here in North Texas. Maps are only as good as the data that goes into them and if you're referring to the BAMONA maps, they are woefully short of data for moths.
Dale Clark
Dallas County Lepidopterists' Society
www.dallasbutterflies.com
Yes, Dale that is exactly the site I used and where the map is. I sent in notification that the moth is in this area, but no response. They had nothing on the moth, eg. host plants, etc. If you know anything let me know please as I am now obsessed with it. It feeds in the early am on Indigo Spires and the pic is scabiosa which it is nectaring on.
