Henry Raymond

Fairfax News => Current News & Events => Topic started by: Henry on July 13, 2011, 12:11:14 PM

Title: If Butterflies Are Pretty, This Is Not A Butterfly
Post by: Henry on July 13, 2011, 12:11:14 PM

This Miller/Butterfly flew into my mud room the other night - Quite large - 5 1/2 inch wing span - We did not kill it, it died a natural death:

(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/forum_photos_2011/100_0262_1.sized.jpg)

(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/forum_photos_2011/100_0264_1.sized.jpg)

Title: Re: If Butterflies Are Pretty, This Is Not A Butterfly
Post by: mkr on July 13, 2011, 12:31:18 PM

I had one exactly like that at my house too the other day?  It was on the tail gate of my truck.  I wonder if it was the same one and just worked its way over to your house.

Title: Re: If Butterflies Are Pretty, This Is Not A Butterfly
Post by: GamingWeasel on July 13, 2011, 01:57:56 PM

The furry antenae make me think it's a moth instead.

Title: Re: If Butterflies Are Pretty, This Is Not A Butterfly
Post by: Rev. Elizabeth on July 14, 2011, 06:56:33 AM

I agree it is a moth; I have tried to find a picture of it, unsuccessfully.  There are a variety of sphinx moths that have that pattern on the wings that look like eyes, but I can't find a one speciifically like the one posted.

Title: Re: If Butterflies Are Pretty, This Is Not A Butterfly
Post by: CLach on July 14, 2011, 08:13:55 AM

Possibly a Brown Luna Moth ...has the same markings

Title: Re: If Butterflies Are Pretty, This Is Not A Butterfly
Post by: Henry on July 14, 2011, 08:28:34 AM

You are right CLach - Just Binged it and got the photo that looks exactly like it:

http://www.milestonesandmemoriesphoto.com/Pets/Nature/2337087_B72ze/1/122283930_VSEaN#122283930_VSEaN (http://www.milestonesandmemoriesphoto.com/Pets/Nature/2337087_B72ze/1/122283930_VSEaN#122283930_VSEaN)

Title: Re: If Butterflies Are Pretty, This Is Not A Butterfly
Post by: Dick Brown on July 14, 2011, 08:45:53 AM

Good Morning , Henry        I had a part-time job in college many, many , many years ago working for an entomologist at URI in that Department's Lab. One of my jobs was categorizing and " pinning " moths and other insects for their teaching purposes. I obviously don't remember the name of this  species , but it is definitely a moth . The eyes on the wings , if I remember correctly , were for defensive purposes , according to the Entomologist , helping to keep predators away . Again , I'm not sure of the name , but from three years experience of " pinning " it certainly looks like a moth . By the way  Henry , these are wonderful photos of the species . Hope your day is going well. l

Title: Re: If Butterflies Are Pretty, This Is Not A Butterfly
Post by: Mike Raburn on July 18, 2011, 12:51:19 AM

 was gonna say Luna too....

But what do I know........ not much.