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Photo#6470
Orange-tipped oakworm moth - Anisota senatoria - male

Orange-tipped oakworm moth - Anisota senatoria - Male
Durham County, North Carolina, USA
July 6, 2004
Male, found at light, indicates this species.

Moved
Moved from Spiny Oakworm Moth.

senatoria
With the sharp angle of the hind wing, I think this looks more like a male A. senatoria, fairly common in your area. Excellent photo.

 
Thanks, senatoria vs. stigma
Very interesting--I had not heard of that character previously, and I see what you mean, I believe. (The inner angle of the hindwing is very acute in my two photos.)

I had been basing the information on a statement in Tuskes (1), that only males of A. senatoria come to lights. Do you have any comments on that statement about life history? I'm quite prepared to believe it is incorrect--just wondering if you have any other qualifications to add.

Again, thanks for the help.

 
Not familiar
No, I'm not familiar with the idea that only male senatoria come to lights.
I just happen to notice in your photo that the hind wing of your specimen is more angular, akin to male virginiensis.
Years ago, when I lived in Garner, NC I had confirmed with help from NC State, that I had collected virginiensis, stigma, and senatoria, and that's where I became aware of the distinction in the hindwings between male stigma & senatoria. A. stigma has a more softly curved hind wing and is more ochreous.
Your photo also does look quite similar to a male peigleri, but I'm not sure how common they are there in that area, as I never came across one in my time there unless maybe I mistook it for a senatoria.
Hope I'm not stirring things up, I just happened to notice the angular hindwing on your specimen. And if it is indeed a senatoria then it's one of the best photos I've ever seen of a live male.

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