Decaying leaf litter in shallow part of vernal pool, May 16, 2017.
Temperature dipped again last night and moths at the porch light were sleepy. I turned light off and hope they went someplace warmer. I’m awaiting confirmation of species ID because each of these has look-alikes, but the Genera are Orthosia and Lomographa, I think. Update: Orthosia revicta.
Adding a couple more recent ones because they are so pretty.
This (above) is , Eucosma tocullionana, the White Pine Cone Borer, I think. 8mm, small. I hope it’s not a terrible pest, like the Spruce Budworm.
This one is a Tortrix Leafroller, Acleris logiana. 10mm Black-headed Birch Leafroller. Hosts are Alder, Birch and Viburnum, which seem to be doing fine here, so I guess it’s not a terrible problem for them. I like the tufty scales on these. This was on May 11, 2017.
This (above) is Arogalea cristifasciella , White Stripe-Backed Moth; probably given its common name by a guidebook copy-editor. It is listed as common even though its host plant is “unknown” to the Peterson guide authors. 5mm – a micro. At the porch light 11 May. It’s a challenge to get a photo since I don’t have a special lens, just a point and shoot with a close-up choice. You can’t tell from this photo but it has a tuft at its midpoint. I can’t resist the tufts. Okay, I’ll post my out-of-focus of an earlier individual of this species so you can see the tuft (below). This moth (on May 09) flew in our window when I opened it to hear a Barred Owl.
All IDs are subject to correction! Correct ID help is welcomed. Thanks!
Maine Insects 