I see this moth frequently in my garden, most often on the snapdragons. It is usually referred to in my files as "unknown moth". It seems to always perch in an upright position with head up and wings extended in a horizontal position and with the wings furled. Due to it's posture, I also refer to it as the "Crucifixion moth" (no disrespect intended). I will attach a couple of photos to help you help me!
Thanks,
Bob
The closest I can find is Pterophorus spilodactylus.
Kwanjin, I should have identified the location of my garden...it is in Maryland, USA and is in zone 7A. Pterophorus spilodactylus seems to occur only in a rather narrow portion of Wales and England. Thanks a lot and it does have the right silhouette.
Bob
This is indeed a plume moth (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae). Although it appears very similar to some species in the genus Geina (see http://tinyurl.com/29su8mc for an example), there are species in other genera that also can look very much like it, so I would be very hesitant to attempt a more specific identification.
Suunto-A third photo is attached. Thanks for furnishing a link to the BugGuide photos of this Plume Moth. After studying the various groups, this photo appears dead-on with a couple of the photos of Lantanophaga pusillidactyla. I would like to hear your opinion. In this photo, there is one that has a good match of spots on the abdomen, markings on close-up of wing are about as close as you can get.
I have my doubts about it being Lantanophaga pusillidactyla; for one thing you're a bit north of its primary range (see http://tinyurl.com/23ppkt7). Also, as I mentioned earlier, there are species in other genera that are very similar in appearance - see Platyptilia carduidactyla at http://tinyurl.com/2eshr4j a an example. It is for this reason that I am hesitant to make a specific identification for your specimen.
Suunto,
Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae....IT IS!
Thanks so much for your further input.
Bob
