FW: Warbler-killing Moth in Gulf of Mexico

[Mike Quinn]

Two replies from the Entomology Listserv. Mike

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Date:    Wed, 10 Oct 2001 00:02:59 EDT
From:    Philipp Kirsch <Semiochem at AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: FW: Warbler-killing Moth in Gulf of Mexico

I would suggest that the moth may have released some defensive secretion
that
was toxic, possibly containing a cyanide derivative. I am way out of my
field, but I think this is not so uncommon in lepidoptera. Going further out
on a limb, I would guess the moth may have been an Arctiid. Would be fun to
find out. This seems to be more likely than the urticating hairs -
irritating, but not so rapidly toxic, non?

Cheers
Philipp Kirsch
IPM Technologies, Portland, Oregon

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Date:    Wed, 10 Oct 2001 09:26:20 -0400
From:    david almquist <dave.idunno at WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Subject: Re: FW: Warbler-killing Moth in Gulf of Mexico

> This bird
> came upon a much larger moth (almost an inch long and relatively fat) that
> had a hairy orange body. It pounced on this moth and immediately slung its
> head violently sideways to sling the moth out of its beak. It then began
to
> frantically rub its bill against the deck as if to wipe away whatever
> residue from the moth remained.

A friend of mine related attempting to capture a lep in South America and
having to have barbed scales with some sort of poison sac/gland surgically
removed from his eyes after one or both of them swelled shut.

David Almquist  (entomology geek)
daidunno at ufl.edu

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Mike Quinn
Invertebrate Biologist
Wildlife Diversity Branch
Texas Parks & Wildlife
mike.quinn at tpwd.state.tx.us


 
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