Xanthorhoe lacustrata? This is my best guess but I could be wrong. I'd appreciate your input. - Xanthorhoe lacustrata

Looks Like It

James Adams lists the species for Georgia (high elevation Smokies). Click of the link for his photo under Geometridae - 7390 on his Georgia Lepidoptera website. Jasper and Pickins County are probably just at the known extreme southern range of the species. You are apt to encounter additional species at the limits of their range, and even some that will be new for the State list. There is precisely one person best qualified to advise you about rarities in Georgia, and that person is James Adams. His email address can be found on his website. Write to him and ask for his help. He gives it freely, especially to moth-ers who can help establish state and county records. Respect his time, save the really hard stuff for him unless he encourages frequent emails/photos. I wouldn't be surprised if he invites you to take part in a lep outing.

… Bob Patterson, 10 March, 2009 - 2:22am

Sounds Great!

Thanks for the info Bob. I'm just learning the moths, though unfortunately I don't have as much time as I'd like to devote to it at the moment. Along with BugGuide, I've learned a great deal from the Moth Photographers Group website and I always refer to James Adams' Georgia Lepidoptera site as well. I just recently got my first copy of Covell's guide and am trying to familiarize myself with the basics of moth biology and ID.
I've considered sending moth photos to Dr. Adams a few times, but since BugGuide has been such a great help in identifying my specimens, so far it hasn't been necessary (though I appreciate you sending several of my images to him for confirmation). Certainly in the future I will consider sending some of my more difficult to ID moth photos to Dr. Adams. Thanks again for your comments.

… Aubrey Scott, 20 March, 2009 - 1:52am

7390 - Xanthorhoe lacustrata

Confirmed by email to me from James Adams.

… Bob Patterson, 11 March, 2009 - 7:47pm