Tiger Moth

I'm sure that's the wise thing to do. Over the years, I've gotten a little better at resisting the urge to over-classify. It seems a classic case of "the more I learn, the less I know."

Looks like genus Apantesis. From the two spots (just visible) on the collar, I'd say it's probably the harnessed tiger moth, A. phalerata. Having said that, BugGuide says, "There are no 100% consistent diagnostic characteristics in wing maculation or spots/no spots on the patagia (the "collar"), to reliably distinguish nais/carlotta/phalerata/vittata. The only full-proof method is dissection and examination of genitalia (the exception is in male phalerata, in which the valve is easily distinguished by its longer, up-curved apex. So one could brush the scales away from the last sternite and see it without dissection. The nais/carlotta/vittata group have rather blunt and rounded apices of the valve.) However, within this group, using the sum of typical (although not necessarily diagnostic) characteristics, can allow for a reasonably probable species ID."