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Desmia funeralis/maculalis
11 mm head to rear.
Found near balcony light.
Spotted on May 23, 2013
Submitted on Jun 1, 2013
3 Comments
If there are people who think there is no possibility to separate without DNA and there is no DNA, we should consider that and take Desmia sp., independently what other experts tell, even the knowledge that it might be the other one, should focus us not to spread "possible wrong" IDs around the net. There are already too much of them around. I leave it up to you.
My suggestion would be: Desmia sp. with mentioning both possible candidates in the description section or as a reasonable compromise: Desmia funeralis/maculalis, which would also focus on the tricky issue.
Can you live with that ;-)...
I've heard both that the two species are and are not distinguishable from a good photo. I don't know which is true. Perhaps size can break the tie? I can't be sure.
I submitted this photo to BAMONA, and their regional expert gave the ID as Desmia funeralis.
I do not challenge your ID, but I am interested what you think about the fact that some authors consider Desmia funeralis and Desmia maculalis not be distinguishable only by a picture. Maryland is within the range for both species.
http://bugguide.net/node/view/3967
http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.ed...
http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.ed...