I'm no moth expert myself, but as a bird enthusiast I can say your question is far from unfounded. House Finches can vary from crimson red to bright orange or yellow depending on their diet. Perhaps the same is true for some moths?
Liam, thanks for your help. All these tan moths give me fits. My moth seems paler, with fainter markings, than the moths in your link. But I wonder about that ... I'm a "plant person" mostly, expanding my interests. With wildflowers, the depth of the color in the blossom can vary, depending on how nutrient-rich or nutrient-poor the soil is. Can something like that happen with moths? Does good nutrition when you're a caterpillar result in a vibrant moth ... and poor nutrition a bland one? Maybe that's a weird, uninformed question.
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