[moth-rah] Silver-spotted Ghost Moth

[Cindy Mead]

hi John! a million thanks for identifying this beautiful moth- I've had 3 of
them over the past couple weeks and I was stumped as to what family this
moth belonged to and intrigued by that red tinge you describe. I often will
try to get moths to climb onto my hand so I can take a better photograph
(that and they're just cuddly) and each time I tried this with the 'ghost
moth' I would see this red area flash.  I attributed it to an injury of some
sort- boy I learn something new every day :)
thank you for another lesson in moth-ery,
Cindy

WoodSong
www.northwoodsong.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "John" <jhimmel at comcast.net>
To: <LEPS-L at LISTS.YALE.EDU>; "CT Leps-to-all" <ctleps-l at lists.yale.edu>;
"Lep-TILS" <TILS-moth-rah at yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, June 23, 2003 8:22 AM
Subject: [moth-rah] Silver-spotted Ghost Moth


'mornin -

I came across Sthenopis argenteomaculatus (Silver-spotted Ghost Moth) in my
yard last night and while photographing it noticed it secreting a deep red
fluid at the base of the wings. Not a lot, just a tiny bit.  You can see the
red area where the wing joins the thorax at www.connecticutmoths.com.  This
seemed to happen when I disturbed it and I wonder if anyone knows of these
insects doing this as a taste avoidance defense.  I can find no mention of
this behavior anywhere, but I'm sure if it occurs, someone out there knows
about it.

I've seen and photographed Ecpantheria scribonia (Giant Leopard Moths) doing
this as well (liquid was amber).

Anyway - was thrilled to see a Ghost Moth in my yard - only the third time!

Best -

John


<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
John Himmelman
Killingworth, CT
jhimmel at comcast.net
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

JUST OUT FALL 2002!  "Discovering Moths, Nighttime Jewels in Your Own Yard"
Go to: http://booksandnature.homestead.com/DiscoveringMothspage.html

Visit my other websites at:
  www.johnhimmelman.com
  www.connecticutmoths.com
  www.ctamphibians.com


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


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