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Cucumber moth

Diaphania sp.

Photo by BeNature
Published on Project Noah
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9.20124, -83.751

Field Notes

Description:

I have seen a lot of moths, but never one like this. Its tail moves like a sea anemone and it seemingly has muscular control over it. Has anyone else seen moths like this before? What might be the purpose of this tail?

Habitat:

Found in the mountains near the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, around 1400ft in elevation.

Species ID Suggestions

Diaphania sp.

Reference Link
bayucca
2

Comments (7)
BeNature
Yeah, that sure does look like the same moth...interesting also because that one was spotted in the coffee zone (Eje cafetero) in Colombia where I just spent December 2011.
BeNature
Thanks bayucca...very difficult to determine exact species, but definitely a Diaphania.
bayucca
Crambidae's have often tails like that. For what use I can't relly tell you...
bayucca
Crambidae, Spilomelinae. Diaphania sp.. If you look at the link you might see that there are quite a few species around in Costa Rica. So it is a little bit tricky to get closer than the genus Diaphania sp.. If I can choose only once for winning the jackpot I would take Diaphania elegans.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Path of the Tapir Biological Corridor
Photographed
PublishedJanuary 20, 2012

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