id challenge...or maybe not a challenge for some ;)

Is this some sort of skipper?

No not a skipper. It looks like one of the Tiger Moth family, the Arctiidae. The nearest I can get to it is one of the Wasp Moths in the genus Syntomeida, but they don't seem to have the orange tufts on their legs. http://www.inra.fr/papillon/arctiid/textfr/s_syntom.htm
They are also found a lot further south than MD.

This message was edited May 24, 2005 9:36 AM

Bethany, you might email your photo to Bruce Walsh atn this site for an id.
http://www.funet.fi/pub/sci/bio/life/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/noctuoidea/arctiidae/ctenuchinae/syntomeida/#USGS

I have no idea what it is, but I love it!!

Thanks guys. It is a puzzler then, I suppose. I thought it rather odd.

Simple. It's an orange-kneed, black, flying bug.

I found it!! I wouldn't go to sleep until I could solve this paltry dilemma and identify this moth for you. Pretty cool looking critter that goes by the name of 'Eight-Spotted Forester'.

See links:

http://www.daltonstate.edu/galeps/webpages/noctuidae/Aloctomaculata.htm

http://www.marylandmoths.com/Html/Noctuidae/Agaristinae/Alypia_octomaculata.html

Another image

BTW: I hope sharing these photos did not violate any copy rights

Well done Targator. I was looking in the wrong family. It is a lovely moth

COOL! Way to go Targator!

-Julie

Way to go, Targator!!

Wow ! I apologize. Wrong again ! Perseverance ! You proved it -- Targator~

Wow--that's it alright, or it's evil twin! Thanks a lot. I love to keep track of what I see in my yard. Thanks again.