WrightwoodCalif.com Forum

Public Forums => San Gabriel Mtns Flora - Fauna => Topic started by: Wrightwood on Sep 04, 10, 04:08:18 PM

Title: Wrightwood moth Identification
Post by: Wrightwood on Sep 04, 10, 04:08:18 PM

The neighbors discovered one of these moths in the front yard this week.

The photo doesn't do the camouflage pattern justice and it was large for any moth I've seen. 2.5" to 3" between wing tips

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/misc/MD_Moth.JPG)

Title: Re: Wrightwood moth Identification
Post by: Mrs. Hillbilly on Sep 04, 10, 04:32:57 PM

WOW!
I have seen large moths up here but with different markings.

Title: Re: Wrightwood moth Identification
Post by: part timer on Sep 04, 10, 05:31:37 PM

we found hundreds of dead moths that look like these, don't know if exact match, about five years ago all in the upstairs northern corner of our vacation home. My sister's home had same, only she was there as they were apparently emerging to fly. I thought that it was probably due to weather patterns, and perhaps cycles, like cicada's in the south. Anyone remember or had a similar experience of an explosive short term moth invasion? I don't know how they got into the house, but they all died in the upper north corner, so it was like they had a compass setting to go north.

Title: Re: Wrightwood moth Identification
Post by: WWDREAMN on Sep 04, 10, 05:55:03 PM

I saw one that looked like that this summer in Idaho but not around here.
As for the moth invasion of several years ago, it was crazy and we never could figure out how they could get into a house with now windows open, hundreds of them every day it seemed like.

Title: Re: Wrightwood moth Identification
Post by: DrCohen on Sep 04, 10, 06:25:05 PM

That is a Pandorus Sphinx Moth. And your photo of it is Excellent - Great job!

Title: Re: Wrightwood moth Identification
Post by: part timer on Sep 07, 10, 03:54:22 AM

I wonder if the moth explosion of the past had anything to do with the bark beetle thing, drought? It was around that same time frame, I'm glad somebody else remembers this. As for the moth in the photo, was it the same? Why would photo moth or the other be in Wrightwood anyway, what do they eat? Just curious.