Skip to main content

Western Poplar Clearwing

Paranthrene robiniae

Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

33.0184, -117.011

Field Notes

Description:

Wonderful male, wasp-mimicking moth! The wings have a clear window giving it the Clearwing common name. This mimics our local California Paper Wasp quite well: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/14020432. This species is described as having the first three segments being black but this one is a yellow variety.

Habitat:

Buckwheat in riparian area

Notes:

First for Project Noah! Finally confirmed by Bug Guide and of course bayucca :)

Reference Links:

Species Paranthrene robiniae - Western Poplar Clearwing - Hodges#2526 - BugGuid…

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (15)
CindyBinghamKeiser
Hi bayucca, thanks for your reply. Not sure what you mean with your last sentence but I appreciate your efforts with identification!
bayucca
Cindy, I certainly checked Cissuvora as well ;-)... Very similar indeed and tricky to compare with only this picture on bugguide. Trusting my eyes, I see some mince differences: In the middle of the dark band I only see one yellow ring in yours and in Cissuvora I see there an additional black ring and the yellow ring looks like being more prominent or broader in yours. The color of the antennae is also slightly different. I am not sure if I see no darker feathery-like parts on the hindwing in yours and this feature present in Cissuvora. Usually I trust my eyes, so I would still "vote" for Paranthrene robiniae. I would not be so concerned about being a lucky loser, important we have an ID at the end, whatever it is...
CindyBinghamKeiser
Thank you Ashley! I was going to have that one as the first but thought the amazing mimicry wouldn't be as obvious. I may end up switching it anyway :)
CindyBinghamKeiser
Thank you kyleighphelps, Sckel and bayucca. Sckel, I feel the same way about your collection! bayucca, I was looking at Cissuvora ampelopsis as a possibility but was unable to find more than one reference that's credible. Hoping Bug Guide has an ID soon :)
Sckel
wonderful. I really admire your collection, cindy.
bayucca
Based on the markings overall, I would have suggested Paranthrene robiniae as well, beside the black parts you already mentioned. Let's see what bugguide means. I also noticed quite a great variability which makes the ID not really easier... http://bugguide.net/node/view/139818/bgimage http://bugguide.net/node/view/143915/bgpage http://bugguide.net/node/view/143916/bgpage
joan6153
Fantastic spotting and photos!
CindyBinghamKeiser
It is amazing! I almost didn't photograph it because I thought it was the wasp when I took a glance. So glad I did! I've been looking for this species for over 2 years :)
Fyn Kynd
Right down to the markings behind the head!

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Southern California Wildlife
Mission
Mimetic Animals of the World
Mission
Moths of the World
Mission
National Geographic's Great Nature Project
Mission
2014 Best Wildlife Photo

Tags

Photographed
PublishedMay 20, 2014

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies