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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Moths » Noctuoidea » Tiger Moths (Arctiidae) » Tiger Moths (Arctiinae) » Arctiini » Hypercompe » Giant Leopard Moth - Hodges#8146 (Hypercompe scribonia)
Photo#328481
Is this moth poisonous? - Hypercompe scribonia
Copyright © 2009 allison

Is this moth poisonous? - Hypercompe scribonia
Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas, USA
September 3, 2009
Size: 1"
My daughter found this moth on our back porch, and picked it up to move it from being eaten by one of our dogs. It almost immediately stung her and peed on her. I'm trying to figure out what it is and if it is poisonous. I've never seen it before around our house.
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Contributed by allison on 3 September, 2009 - 6:31pm
Last updated 21 September, 2009 - 8:53am

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… v belov, 21 September, 2009 - 8:53am login or register to post comments

no sting - looks like Giant Leopard Moth
I think that might be the Giant Leopard Moth - Hypercompe scribonia. Pretty sure it's a leopard moth of some type. RE the droplets "Yellowish droplets of liquid are sometimes seen emitted from the adults when threatened or handled. These droplets are a chemical defense against predators." Welcome to Bugguide!

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… Andrew Williams, 3 September, 2009 - 7:18pm login or register to post comments

 
giant leopard moth
That sounds very accurate, because my daughter said the yellow was driplets. Fortunately, her welt from it went down and it clearly wasn't poisonous. we got it off the back porch away from the dogs, and it seems to be thriving in our holly bush. Thanks so much for the ID!!!!
… allison, 5 September, 2009 - 9:51am login or register to post comments

Re: Is this moth poisonous?
As far as I know, no moths are capable of stinging or biting. I can't help with the ID though, sorry.
… Natalie McNear, 3 September, 2009 - 7:15pm login or register to post comments

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