White-barred Emerald Moth

I posted a photo of this moth yesterday because I didn't know what it was. Sequoia Spruce kindly identified it for me, but I am wondering what its range is. I live in Welches, Oregon in the Mount Hood National Forest and I have never seen one of these moths before. I am wondering if they are uncommon in my area.

Glad I could help. I love a good challenge (when I have time). I am continually amazed at the wonders of Nature. This site has actually been increasing my Nature knowledge by volumes! I used to do this a lot when I was younger. Maybe not quite on this level. I was watching all the insects in the garden this morning and thinking about how many species I see right here in front of me and never really paid that close of attention to it.

Wow! Learn something new everyday! Thanks for the lesson!

FD - per bugguide.net, you were right - it's Nemoria bifilata. Thanks!

Thanks, ForestDragon. You have helped me expand my knowledge on Emeralds. Thanks! It does make you wonder. Maybe a new population has been established. With global warming on the rise, species are becoming more and more comfortable in places they wouldn't have been before.

You know, it always makes me wonder just how many are out there. If there is one "stray" there must be others. They had to get there somehow.

Thanks, that was my best guess if i didn't know the area where they were usually found.

That being said, it could very well be a stray, as it is in NM and AZ. Remember, species do not confine themselves to political borders.

Freelancing and FD, Nemoria zelotes is the only one that has red edging and four red discal dots.

Submitted to buigguide.net... it does look a lot like a White-barred Emerald Moth, thanks for the tip, FD!

I've grown up seeing these moths hither and yon - never knew there was such a variety in things that looked so similar.

I have a home brew macro lens on my iPhone - or I wouldn't have been able to get shots of this critter's eyes like this. I had no idea this seemingly flat-looking moth had such large eyes for it's seemingly small body size... nor the type of eyes where you could tell the little guy/gal was looking at you. :)

Thanks for the feedback. I will submit to bugguide for analysis.

Don't be sad but I have to disagree. Your moth has a reddish discal dot on each wing. The Red-bordered Emerald and the Red-fringed emerald (when it has discal dots) both have black discal dots, according to resources.

So...now the dilemma. The moths I believe this most resemble aren't all reported to occur in Texas (not that it means that they aren't there).

White-barred Emerald Moth - Nemoria bifilata :This site says that it has been reported in TX
http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.ed...
Bugguide.net page:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/395112

Nemoria zelotes (which is only reported in AZ, so less likely to be this) :
http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.ed...
http://bugguide.net/node/view/333547

I am not sure. These guys are difficult. You might consider submitting this to one of these sites for ID.

Awesome! ForestDragon, do you agree? Nemoria lixaria.

Subfamily Geometrinae - Emeralds, possibly Tribe Nemoriini.
http://bugguide.net/node/view/14259/bgpa...
I love Emeralds! Nice spotting.