CLOSED: Can you ID this brave moth for me?

The picture is pretty self explanatory. I was really surprised to see a moth out in this cold. So, I'm curious to know who it is. Thanks so much!

Some of the Geometrid moths fly this time of year - maybe genus Epirrita, E. autumnata, E. pulchraria, etc. - can you crop your picture a little closer? That's a great picture!


http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/pinned.php?plate=17.8&page=4&size=s&sort=h

http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/slow.php?plate=17.8&sort=h

I'll see what I can do in just a minute or two Claypa. It wasn't nearly as clear of a picture as I had hoped for, so it might not be much help up closer.

Operophtera is another possibility:


http://www.cbif.gc.ca/spp_pages/geometroidea/jpgs/image_e.php?image%5B%5D=107437.jpg%2COperophtera%A0bruceata&image%5B%5D=107437a.jpg%2COperophtera+bruceata&image%5B%5D=107433b.jpg%2CEpirrita+autumnata&image%5B%5D=107433ba.jpg%2CEpirrita+autumnata

I forgot to say Thanks! If anyone had seen me taking the picture, the would have laughed since I had to lean over, almost had my head in the snow, to see the flowers and the incidental moth.

Here's the close-up. Hopefully it helps. I lightened it a little as while, on my screen it seemed a bit dark.

I agree with claypa - this moth does strongly resemble the male winter moth (Operophtera bruceata) seen at http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2149/2154083047_4c3501ca42.jpg?v=0

There are reports of O. bruceata in Oregon in November on Bugguide, but not for Epirrita.

redchic, your picture reminded me of one of mine I had been looking for, same subfamily, this Spargiana magnoliata. This was taken in September in Maine.

Thanks so much Claypa and Suunto. Claypa, your pic does look very similar to mine. I'm not good at all with knowing my insects, unless they're poisonous, I hoping to get a little better at figuring out some butterflies and moths. For now I'm leaning towards the O. bruceata, but I'm going to do a little more homework on that one and Spargiana magnoliata, and leave this thread open for a little longer. Maybe by then I'll be able to find the right spot for it in bugfiles.

Sorry, I meant to say that I figured out my moth while looking for yours! I do believe yours is the Operophtera bruceata, especially with the range and flight time being so close. And I'm glad suunto agrees.

This message was edited Dec 18, 2008 3:50 AM

Ohhh, I got it now. It's nearing my bed time. that's quite likely what you said. But, not necessarily what these groggy eyes read. Thanks again. I will put it into the files then as Operophtera bruceata. You're a true night owl Claypa!

So, I take it that this critter is not already in bugfiles? It's all good. I'll learn a lot more about if i'm entering the data as well as picture.

The info is the same as this moth, except the species is bruceata, (obviously):

http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/b/Lepidoptera/Geometridae/Operophtera/none/genus/0/

I see both Winter Moth and Bruce Spanworm used as common names.

Yes, I'm a nightowl and I busted a rib a few days ago which makes sleeping difficult. Not a big deal really, more of an excuse to play on the computer!

I would like to know what kind of flower it is on - it's so pretty!

rntx, I wish that I could tell you more about the plant than what I know. I was house/pet sitting at the place where it lives when I took that picture. It is a Hydrangea Macrophylla of an unknown variety. It's definitely one of the blue lacecap varieties as well as they occasionally put their coffee gounds there. Although, sometimes it has flowers that are sort of inbetween mophead and lacecap. It never gets fertilizer, it's in alkaline soil, and it's watered just enough to survive. given that it is one of the best "blue" hydrangeas that I've seen and it always holds onto the dried flowers well into winter. I have asked the owner about it before, after seeing it blooming in the summer. All that they knew about it was that it was a Hydrangea, they didn't know that 'varieties' of hydrangeas existed.

This message was edited Dec 23, 2008 10:25 PM