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This peculiar little moth looks more like a cockroach or a liver fluke than a moth. Brown with a dark spot on each forewing. The underwing is orange with a brown apical band. It hides it's antennae and legs under its wings when at rest, 8 mm long. Maybe Tortricidae? Or Xyloryctidae?
Came to an ultraviolet light in the garden, San Cristobal de Las Casas, 2,200 meters.
This gives a brief overview of the Family Xyloryctidae, which could also occur in Mexico, although not studied: http://mississippientomologicalmuseum.or...
Spotted on Jun 19, 2013
Submitted on Jun 21, 2013
22 Comments
Thank you Chun, it does look like some kind of seed!
Incredible!
It looks like it is mimicking a seed.
Thank you Adarsha and PurpleScarf :)
Thank you Leuba, I've been checking out the Xyloryctids. It could be that family. There is another also for Australia with a similar looking moth. Apparently the wholes Superfamily Gelechioidea is a systematic mess. This one is going to be in limbo a long time I think.
At first glance i thought it was some sort of a fluke ! :D
Cool spotting Lauren! After seeing fifth pic only, i believed its a moth!
There is a moth quite similar in shape to this one in Australia from the
Family Xyloryctidae. There is even a spot on the hind wings. I can't get a match on anything from Mexico. Hope this is of some use..
Thank you Leuba, it is a strange cute little creature.
What a fantastic find, Lauren. I think he/she was trying to mimic a small dry leaf. Thanks for sharing this interesting specimen !
Thank you Mark and FFHRheingau. Teeny tiny shark egg!
Haha, at first sight I thought it was a photo of a shark-egg O_o Great spotting, never seen a moth like that before.
Bizarre but fascinating.
Thank you Phillip :)
How splendid!
Thank you Luis and Billo :))
D: wow! amazing!
Incredible Lauren!
Thank you Cindy :)
What an interesting moth! Wonderful spotting, Lauren!
Thank you Brendan, Jemma, Keith and Chief RedEarth. Chief, I just don't know why any moth would imitate a Liver Fluke. :)
Amazing. I've never seen anything like it before.
great details Lauren!