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Photo#12042
Prominent moth? - Sthenopis argenteomaculatus

Prominent moth? - Sthenopis argenteomaculatus
Amherst, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, USA
June 9, 2004
Attracted to our front porch lights (and still there the following morning, allowing me some daylight shots). A beautifully marked creature.

A Really Low-number Micro -- Sthenopis
Possibly, even probably 0018 - Silver-spotted Ghost Moth, Sthenopis argenteomaculatus. But I am puzzled by the lack or orange around the white spots, and I suppose it could be a very closely related species. See these photos. Perhaps Tony Thomas will be able to clarify the situation when he sees your photo.

 
You are correct
it's a Silver-spotted Ghost moth. They are quite variable in colour, this one looks incredible fresh as though it has just emerged. You must have alders growing nearby? You can just see a tinge of red/orange around the silver spots. Photos on Bob's MPG Plate, also in Covell and Holland. Sort of recognizable as a Hepialid by the tiny antennae; you can just see one over the eye.
Covell was incorrect when he stated that they are not attracted to lights; I've seen several attracted to lights and it appears this one was as well.

 
Thanks Tony & Bob,
I'll make a guide page for it when I get the chance...

We do have alders growing nearby...is that the larval host plant? I don't think it was that freshly emerged...In fact, I chose this shot because you can't see the worn off hair on the thorax from this angle:)

 
relocated
I found the genus and species pages under Notodontidae, and moved them to Hepialidae.

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