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Project Noah Nature School
Letis sp.
This is very similar to a black witch moth but much smaller. It measures about 3" wide...more or less. I took this photo under my house which was illuminated by fluorescent lights at night.
Tropical dry forest in NW Costa Rica 8 weeks into the 6 month dry season.
The genus is usually quite easy, but species almost impossible if you consider the great variability (take for example Buteo and Scops from the link!). Even looking at the same moth, I guess #1 is flashed, #2 not. Look at the distribution of blue in both shot: Completely different due to the different angulation and light. The white patch at the apex of the forewing in #1 in clearly visible and has disappeared in #2! And even Janzen has same unid Letis. So poor guy will probably die without a proper ID...
thanks bayucca. unfortunately, the photos are so out of focus and the moth is obviously at the end of his life cycle that a species I.D. is likely unlikely.
Spotted on Jan 18, 2012
Submitted on Jan 19, 2012
+1
