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Wasp Moth? Hand Maiden Moth

Photo by tbrett
Published on Project Noah
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13.0804, 80.2818

Field Notes

Description:

small wasp like moth example of mimicry. This is a truly small specimen roughly 1" 1.5" across 25-35 mm. Unlike the Amata antenna this specimen did not have white tips it also carries a distinctive brush assembly like many moths have. Its color was more of an off white than bright yellow. So honestly I am just confused and don't have good reference material to make a better ID.

Habitat:

brushy areas and shrubs.

Notes:

Sunning it self on a leaf.... other two photos were blurry sorry.

Species ID Suggestions

Handmaiden Moth

Amata cyssea

Comments (3)

Good point with the antennae! I noticed this as well. You might see, that it is more like a filament with some small feathers. I do not know if these feathers are extending to enhance the surface. Amata are usually dayflying moths, so they do not need a huge feathery surface for long distance pheromones. I also can see some whitish at the tip of the left antenna. It looks also a little bit worn, so colors might anyway change a little.
Thanks for comment Bayucca, after reviewing both my guess and your suggestion I am firmly confused :) Guess that's what happens when you try ID without reference books.... Also what is the size of an amata genus it says it is a relative to tiger moths and the tiger moths I know are much larger than this.... Thanks for the link and please look at the antenna closely Bayucca....
Erebidae, Arctiinae, Amata cyssea. We had several discussions about these Amata sp.. Many of them are not correctly IDed, including the one from Wiki. The picture on your wiki reference is unfortunately wrong. Wiki is an excellent reference, but needs a double check. I think the species on the Wiki link for Syntomoides imaon is Amata cyssea as well. Please, verify yourself. I added some more links were you find the earlier discussions. http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=104441 http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/7810657 http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/16232129 Here is a trusted link from EOL for Syntomoides imaon: http://eol.org/pages/7168611/overview Very similar to Amata sp., but note the much larger spots.
Photographed
PublishedSeptember 29, 2013

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