[tn-moths] Fwd: [ncsc-moths] Re: Re: mystery "monkey" moth
- From: "J. Merrill Lynch" <jmerrilllynch@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: tn-moths <tn-moths@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 21 Mar 2011 21:17:48 -0400
Forgot to copy Tennessee folks on my reply.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: J. Merrill Lynch <jmerrilllynch@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, Mar 21, 2011 at 9:10 PM
Subject: Re: [ncsc-moths] Re: [tn-moths] Re: mystery "monkey" moth
To: ncsc-moths@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Larry,
I understand completely how you feel. Regarding this genus, I uncovered
some information that might help. My friend, Bo Sullivan, is co-author with
Dave Wagner of a new book on Owlet Caterpillars of the Eastern U.S. that
will be released this fall. I've seen an early draft of this book.
First of all, I think we can rule out completely N. cinereana. This species
feeds exclusively on northern aspens and is not known south of New York. N.
metaspillella used to be regarded as a southern form of N. frigidana and
along with that species feeds on willows. N. frigidana appears to be mainly
a northern species but there are records south to our area. N. metaspilella
is known to occur in the south even in low elevations in the coastal plain.
There is much confusion about the ranges of these two species even amongst
the experts because of their similarity.
Metaspilella is basically a paler, washed out looking frigidana but there is
quite a bit of variability. I think Jean's moth is metaspilella based on
this character and I think your second and third images look similar to
hers. Your first image seems to have more contrast but it may be due to the
flash.
Sounds like in our area metaspilella is much more likely a possibility but
the only way to be sure is of course to collect a specimen for genitalic
dissection or DNA barcoding.
Hope this helps.
Merrill
On Mon, Mar 21, 2011 at 5:51 PM, Larry McDaniel <larrycmcd@xxxxxxxxxxx>wrote:
> I still find this a challenging genus.
> I'm leaning toward 8978 on Jean's moth and both of mine,
> but I would feel better if I could find something more convincingly
> supportive.
> I attached both of my photos plus another one I got in March of 2010.
> I seem to be into a phase of growing uncertainty on challenging IDs.
> Its back to "the more I learn the less I realize I know".
>
>
> Larry McDaniel
> Johnson City, TN
>
> ------------------------------
> From: innisfreehorses@xxxxxxxxxx
> To: ncsc-moths@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> Subject: [ncsc-moths] Re: [tn-moths] Re: mystery "monkey" moth
> Date: Mon, 21 Mar 2011 08:42:15 -0400
>
>
> You're right. It's 8978. I was so thrilled to find 8977, which is a close
> look-alike, that I quit looking.
> Jean
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* J. Merrill Lynch <jmerrilllynch@xxxxxxxxx>
> *To:* tn-moths@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> *Cc:* ncsc-moths@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> *Sent:* Sunday, March 20, 2011 8:40 PM
> *Subject:* [ncsc-moths] Re: [tn-moths] Re: mystery "monkey" moth
>
> Cool moth--looks like a devil face to me. After reviewing the MPG plates I
> think it is more likely the close relative, N. metaspilella #8978.
>
> Merrill
>
> On Sun, Mar 20, 2011 at 7:58 PM, Jean Obrist
> <innisfreehorses@xxxxxxxxxx>wrote:
>
> I found the monkey moth. This is a first for me. *
> Hodges#8977 (Nycteola cinereana)*
> **
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* Jean Obrist <innisfreehorses@xxxxxxxxxx>
> *To:* tn-moths@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ; ncsc-moths <ncsc-moths@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> *Sent:* Sunday, March 20, 2011 7:00 PM
> *Subject:* [tn-moths] mystery "monkey" moth
>
> Here is another one I can't find. Came to black light on 3/18. Looks
> like a monkey face on him.
>
> Jean Obrist
> Cocke Co, TN
>
>
>
>
> --
> J. Merrill Lynch
> Echo Valley Farm
> Watauga County, NC
> Elevation: 3,400 feet
>
>
--
J. Merrill Lynch
Echo Valley Farm
Watauga County, NC
Elevation: 3,400 feet
--
J. Merrill Lynch
Echo Valley Farm
Watauga County, NC
Elevation: 3,400 feet
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