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Giant Leopard Moth

Hypercompe scribonia

Description:

Also referred to as the Eyed Tiger Moth. This species has a wingspan of 3 inches (nearly 8 cm). The wings of this moth are bright white with a pattern of neat black blotches, some solid and some hollow. The abdomen is dark blue with orange markings, the male has a narrow yellow line on the sides. Its legs have black and white bands. Adult moths are strictly nocturnal and do not generally fly before nightfall

Notes:

The caterpillar is of the "Woolly Bear" kind, with a thick coat of black bristles (setae) and red or orange colored bands between its segments which become conspicuous when caterpillar rolls into a ball for defense.

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6 Comments

MaryEvans2
MaryEvans2 12 years ago

Thank you Melissa

MelissaFerguson
MelissaFerguson 12 years ago

Mary this is a wonderful spot! Very nice photo's!

MaryEvans2
MaryEvans2 12 years ago

Thank you Karen, Gerardo and Small wonders - @ Small wonders isn't it fun to learn new things about the nature that surrounds us? I am totally fascinated with nature and how much so many people miss. I didn't know they liked Dandelions - so I learned something new too - thank you!

Small Wonders
Small Wonders 12 years ago

Great spot! I just learned today that Dandelion is a host plant for the Giant Leopard Moth ;)

Gerardo Aizpuru
Gerardo Aizpuru 12 years ago

Wonderful!

KarenL
KarenL 12 years ago

What a beauty!

MaryEvans2
Spotted by
MaryEvans2

Florida, USA

Spotted on Mar 28, 2011
Submitted on Feb 10, 2012

Related Spottings

Hypercompe Moth Hypercompe Moth Caterpillar Giant Leopard Moth Giant Leopard Moth Caterpillar

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Longheaded Toothpick Grasshopper Eyed Click Beetle Anhinga Wild Turkey

Reference

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