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Tersa Sphinx Moth

Xylophanes tersa

Photo by LaurenZarate
Published on Project Noah
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16.7348, -92.652

Field Notes

Description:

This Sphinx Moth was hurt and killed in a parking lot. It is a species I haven't seen here before and it was such a terrible waste and loss of life. It can still be identified. I am not 100% sure of the identification because of all the green that this one has.

Habitat:

Attracted to the lights of a parking lot in a mall on the outskirts of San Cristobal de Las Casas, 2,200 meters.

Notes:

Parking Lot lighting should NOT be allowed to attract night-flying insects and are responsible for the deaths of thousands of moths every year.

Reference Links:

Butterflies and Moths of North America | collecting and sharing data about Lepi…

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (4)
Jacob Gorneau
I'm so glad you are fighting for the well-being of moths! They are commonly overlooked, but many are quite gorgeous, and some, especially in your area, might not even be known to science. It would be a shame for them to be so violently killed and and not even recognized. :-( Thank you so much! Please keep us all updated on how the presentation goes for you! :-) I sent you a friend request on Facebook, I think you might be interested in the moth group we have over there. I have a leaf held up to the sky as my profile picture. :-)
LaurenZarate
Thank you Jakubko. That will help me in my presentation to the Shopping Mall personnel, I've been collecting pictures of the terrible massacre to see if they will agree to change the type of lights they use.
Jacob Gorneau
Here is the link: http://nationalmothweek.org/2013/06/01/4648/
Jacob Gorneau
How sad. I always am frustrated when the ignorance of humanity results in the deaths of such beautiful creatures. The newest entry in the National Moth Week blog discusses the detrimental effects of light pollution on moths.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Butterflies & Moths of the World
Mission
Mexico Horn of Plenty
Mission
Moths of the World

Tags

Photographed
PublishedMay 30, 2013

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