This critter found its way inside the house a few days ago. I caught it to let it out and noticed its hairy tail was wagging. It's small, less than an inch across the wings, so I had to look really closely. I couldn't tell if it had a worm coming out of its tail! Not to likely really.
Anywho, I tired it out under a rubbermaid cup and then it posed like a professional model for its pictures taken on a piece of paper. It eventually flew off, none the worse for wear as far as I could tell.
Any ideas?
CLOSED: wagging tail
This is a pickleworm moth, Diaphania nitidalis; in wagging its 'tail', it was releasing pheromones, a chemical signal to attract potential mates. Their larvae are garden pests - http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/veg/pickleworm.htm
Oh dear! I shouldn't have let it go though I doubt its the only causing trouble in my garden. But now I know!!!
Thanks for the ID.
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