Morrison's Pero

Description:

Morrison's Pero,sometimes reffered to as Pero Mizon moth's wingspan is 34-40 mm. The forewing is light grey-brown with a broad wavy dark brown median band, shading to tan brown medially near the costa. Discal spot is white. Hindwing is light grey with a pale bordered, dark median line and a row of small black terminal dots. Wing margins slightly serrate. A pronounced ridge on center of this moth's body partially extending the body length and arched posture while resting are noticed upon closer observation. The overall appearance and colors have a very wood toned expression. The larvae look like a twig from the food source tree inhabited.

Habitat:

Widespread in most forested habitats, particularly the southern boreal and aspen parkland from Newfoundland to British Columbia, and coast to coast in northern United States, south in the east to South Carolina, south in the west to California. Pero Mizon is attracted to lights.

Notes:

This Pero Mizon moth was a wonderful,exciting find. Amazing colors and pattern resembled natural wood bark. This moth was resting with a curved posture. The center ridge of tufted hair was very visible under a macro zoom lens. This Pero Mizon's wings looked loosely draped and large compared to this moth's body size. The wide bands of colors contained patterns visible when viewed magnified. The full grown caterpillar stage of this moth species is impressive in reference images, as it looks just like a twig of a tree type it inhabits. It is able to mimic color and forms of several different types of trees as a twig for a disguise. Pero Mizen caterpillar images and examples are available online under Pero Mizon resources and collections. I found the caterpiller disguises amazing.