Large Moth in my Garage (1 Viewer)

virgo10

Well-known member

• Dec 10, 2009

• #1

I just saw that there's a section for ID questions. Mods, please move this for me. Thanks. |:$|

I'm hoping someone can ID this. I'm in Florida. Poor thing isn't doing very well. It won't fly and we just had a cold front come through with a rapid drop in temperature and high winds.

After trying to get it to fly away, I brought it back to the garage for some shelter from that front. When I moved it, the wings opened displaying the lovely color.

Thanks for any help on naming this moth.

 

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Last edited: Dec 10, 2009

D

digitalbirdy

Well-known member

• Dec 11, 2009

• #2

Possibly a 'yellow underwing'. But I am not great on moth ID.

 

Brian Stone

A Stone chatting

• Dec 11, 2009

• #3

Certainly not any of the (many) yellow underwing species seen in the UK. There are some similarities with the Cuculliinae and Noctuinae (both in Noctuidae) but really wouldn't like to comment on something from Florida.

 

Surreybirder

Ken Noble

• Dec 11, 2009

• #4

I thought it looked a bit like some of the sharks but a trawl through the US moth photographer's website didn't produce a good match.

 

honeym

Well-known member

• Dec 11, 2009

• #5

Hi

It's a sphingid (hawkmoth), Erinnyis alope (Drury, 1770).

It's mainly South American but does get up into the southern USA.

Martin

 

Surreybirder

Ken Noble

• Dec 11, 2009

• #6

I don't know how you do it, Martin, but here it is:
http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=7832
http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/ealope.htm
http://bugguide.net/node/view/7728

 

Last edited: Dec 11, 2009

virgo10

Well-known member

• Dec 12, 2009

• #7

Thanks everyone. :t: In the few brief seconds it showed its body I could see the stripes.

Interesting the stuff that finds its way up to central Florida.

 

honeym

Well-known member

• Dec 12, 2009

• #8

Years of practise!

Although some might say that I cheat - I do it for a profession (a Lepidopterist, that is).

Martin