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Virgin tiger moth
Grammia Virgo
39.1598, -82.5268
Field Notes
Description:
Hodges 8197. Striking moth with cool underwing surprise: head and fore wings marked with black outlined by rose-cream margins; hind wings bright rose with bold black spots; body rose with series of joined black ellipses; jet black antennae.
Habitat:
Was found on dark window screen a few feet away from porch light adjoining my yard that is bordered by woods and reclaimed strip mine (grass and native forbs).
Notes:
Rose color was much more pronounced than shown in photos. I put this moth in the fridge overnight in order to get hind wing pictures the next morning. When I released it on plant outside, it produced a frothy mass of amber bubbles from thorax area (see yellow band behind head in last photo). I was alarmed at first, thinking that I might have injured it but, apparently for this moth, this turns out to be a normal reaction to pressure or contact to the abdomen (see David L. Wagner, 2005 Princeton Field Guide, page 470).
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