Moth
16.7134, -92.6131
Field Notes
Description:
These moths look like little fighter jets! The upper wings are wrinkled inwards. The front of the "jet" which looks like a snout is actually the two thickened front legs held together. The 2nd picture has a close-up of the head. You can see the thickly scaled front legs ending in small tarsii. The antennae start just in front of the eye and are directed backwards and disappear under the wings. The very long labial palpi are held up over the head and reach clear down to the thorax! Family Erebidae, Subfamily Herminiinae (called Litter Moths because the larvae of most species feed on dead leaves).
Habitat:
Garden lights, semi-rural residential area, San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico, 2,200 meters.
Notes:
This "Jet Plane" Litter Moth has the snout composed of the labial palpi (http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/35149017/fullscreen) whereas this one has labial palpi which are as long as the body and extend down the entire back of the moth (http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/22098015/fullscreen). You have to look closely to see which of the various strategies are being used to create the effect of a "snout" on a moth.
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