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Photo#109112
Small pale moth - Lychnosea intermicata

Small pale moth - Lychnosea intermicata
Williamson County, Texas, USA
May 10, 2007
Size: ~3 - 4 cm
In late afternoon and evening, these pale moths come fluttering out of tall grass as we walk past, fly weakly a few feet, and drop back into the grass or other low vegetation, typically perching with spread wings, as here, below the top of the grass or bush they're on. They are hard to photograph, as they usually land in a dimly lit "understory" of the grass, but this one gave me a clear shot. The wingspan is, I estimate, about 3-4 cm, but I can't actually measure them--they will not allow approach closer than about 3 feet.

This habitat is stunted live oaks and cedar elms on a low rocky knoll; the microhabitat right here is an area of slightly deeper soil, with live oaks on one side of the trail and cedar elm on the other, both small. Live oak root sprouts about 1-2 feet high form a "hedge" on one side; mustang grape is sprawled over the stunted live oaks. There's an open grass/low-forb/cactus "meadow" a few feet away; these moths hang out under the eaves of the trees.

6858 -- Lychnosea Moth -- Lychnosea intermicata
You'll see these in many slight color variations and densities of speckling.

 
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