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Spotting

Description:

It is about a half inch long. It hops, I haven't seen it fly. ID help please.

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16 Comments

EvaSeifert
EvaSeifert 11 years ago

Nina and Bayucca,I did use a flash on the one where the moth is sitting on flowers.

Nina C. Wilde
Nina C. Wilde 11 years ago

Domi, I agree completely. Neither P.c. or E.n. is a match. I suggested the others to look at in order to try to scan through what might be close to genus --not to suggest that this specimen IS that species. BTW, P.c. is also seen in South America...several of the specimens I saw online were from Peru.

bayucca
bayucca 11 years ago

Pyropteron chrysidiformis is a European species. From what I see, Nebraskae is close, but look at the hairy head. Even in a worn one, could that explain the complete loss?? Then the stripes are completely different. In Eva's shot there are only 2 orange elements, all Nebraskae has 3 distinct elements, body stripe are also different. In my eyes, this is (most probably) not Nebraskae.

Nina C. Wilde
Nina C. Wilde 11 years ago

Here's the south american specimen-Pyropteron chrysidiformis
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlcernadas/...

Nina C. Wilde
Nina C. Wilde 11 years ago

JG, I agree there are a few off things which is why I didn't put a species ID suggestion in; First, the forewings have those uninterrupted red stripes; all of the other available comparison photos have some kind of marking, clear spot, veining, etc. within the red. I did find a South American species looks awfully close, but it has a distinct black spot in the red.

As for the metallic green--Eva, did you use flash with your photos? That could just be from flash...or it may actually be a blackish green coloring.

bayucca
bayucca 11 years ago

The stripes on the wings are also slightly different compared to Nebraskae.

Jacob Gorneau
Jacob Gorneau 11 years ago

Cool spotting, Eva! What turns me away from Euhagena nebraskae is the metallic green coloring just above the head, the same coloring and placing of a Ctenucha moth (this is not the Ctenucha moth, just a comparison for the coloring or the head.). Did you see that coloring, Nina?

EvaSeifert
EvaSeifert 11 years ago

I'll check out some bug ID sites, thanks Maria~

Maria dB
Maria dB 11 years ago

Interesting insect! You can also submit a photo to BugGuide.Net and ask for help with an ID; they are very helpful.

EvaSeifert
EvaSeifert 11 years ago

Ok, thank you. I was interested in it as I don't see these bright colors in moths here in Colorado Springs.

Nina C. Wilde
Nina C. Wilde 11 years ago

It is absolutely in sesiidae. It possible it's not yet represented on the mpg website. You might try emailing your photo to The referee of the sesiidae section or post on bugguide and request help with an ID.

EvaSeifert
EvaSeifert 11 years ago

Thanks Nina! I have been looking through the family Sesiidae but they are clear wings. This little guy or gal has full color on the wings. Will that make a differance?

Nina C. Wilde
Nina C. Wilde 11 years ago

It a moth

Nina C. Wilde
Nina C. Wilde 11 years ago

Closest I can find is Nebraska Clearwing Moth– Euhagena nebraskae –

http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.ed...

Nina C. Wilde
Nina C. Wilde 11 years ago

Start with family Sesiidae

EvaSeifert
EvaSeifert 11 years ago

Can anyone help with an ID?

EvaSeifert
Spotted by
EvaSeifert

Colorado, USA

Spotted on Jul 2, 2012
Submitted on Jul 3, 2012

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