CLOSED: anyone know this one?

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
SandyD White lk, MI(Zone 5a) Sep 03, 2004

Is this a moth or butterfly?

Thumbnail by SandyD
Post #1032639
Quote
Ulrich Manhattan Beach, CA(Zone 11) Sep 03, 2004

It is an Angel Wing butterfly called Satyr.
Polygonia satyrus

Post #1032674
Quote
kennedyh Churchill, Victoria, Australia(Zone 10a) Sep 03, 2004

Ulrich, it is one of the Angel Wings, but I don't think it is the Satyr. I think this one is the Question Mark Polygonia interrogationis

Post #1033501
Quote
Ulrich Manhattan Beach, CA(Zone 11) Sep 03, 2004

They look the same to the untrained eye.
http://www.weaselhead.org/learn/butterflies_satyr_anglewing.asp
http://mamba.bio.uci.edu/~pjbryant/biodiv/lepidopt/nymph/satyr.htm

Post #1033534
Quote
kennedyh Churchill, Victoria, Australia(Zone 10a) Sep 03, 2004

Here is a good matching picture of the Question Mark http://www.butterfliesunlimited.net/Species/interrogationis.htm

Post #1033567
Quote
Ulrich Manhattan Beach, CA(Zone 11) Sep 04, 2004

Yes, I know. That just proves that they practically look alike.
I don't reckon SandyD is losing any sleep over it. LOL

Post #1033653
Quote
SandyD White lk, MI(Zone 5a) Sep 04, 2004

Is it common to my area?

Post #1033816
Quote
Xenomorf Phoenix, AZ(Zone 9b) Sep 04, 2004

SandyD,
The way I usaully can tell if it's a butterfly or a moth is:
A butterfly has the bulb on the ends of the antennae, and the moth has feathery things on the antennae. Plus, there's a 'very' different look of the wings.
And there's probably other ways to tell.

Post #1033842
Quote
Ulrich Manhattan Beach, CA(Zone 11) Sep 04, 2004

Butterflies fly by day, moths are nocturnal.

Post #1033871
Quote
Xenomorf Phoenix, AZ(Zone 9b) Sep 04, 2004

Butterflies have a more sprightful flutter of the wings.

Post #1033887
Quote
PanamonCreel Celaya, Mexico(Zone 10a) Sep 04, 2004

Yes they are common to your area:
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/lepid/bflyusa/mi/toc.htm

Ulrich, there are also several diurnal moth species e.g. Hummingbird Clearwing Moth.

The thickened end on the antenna as Xenomorf mentioned above is most likely the best way to distinguish. Not all moth have the feathery antennas and some have filamentous antennas but lack the thickened ends.

Post #1033905
Quote
Ulrich Manhattan Beach, CA(Zone 11) Sep 04, 2004

Alle Regeln haben Ausnahmen.

Post #1033922
Quote
Xenomorf Phoenix, AZ(Zone 9b) Sep 04, 2004

Ich verstehe!, ein Bissen. :-)

Post #1033950
Quote
Ulrich Manhattan Beach, CA(Zone 11) Sep 04, 2004

Ein Bisschen (a little). Ein Bissen is 'a bite'. LOL
All I said was "there is an exception to every rule".

Edited for clarification.

This message was edited Sep 3, 2004 10:34 PM

Post #1033997
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Insect and Spider Identification Threads

Go to all Insect and Spider Identification threads
BACK TO TOP