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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Owlet Moths and kin (Noctuoidea) » Owlet Moths (Noctuidae) » Cutworm or Dart Moths (Noctuinae) » Tholerini » Cerapteryx » Antler Moth - Hodges#10522 (Cerapteryx graminis)
Photo#315511
Moth - Cerapteryx graminis
Copyright © 2009 Mardon Erbland

Moth - Cerapteryx graminis
47.63045N 52.68746W (WGS84), Logy Bay, Northeast Avalon, Newfoundland/Labrador, Canada
August 4, 2009
Size: 15 mm haed to wing tips
Came to a black light. Why do so many moths have their fur worn off just behind the head like this one does?

Images of this individual: tag all
Moth - Cerapteryx graminis Moth - Cerapteryx graminis
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Contributed by Mardon Erbland on 5 August, 2009 - 4:05am
Last updated 14 August, 2009 - 7:50pm

My guess is
that the scales wear off when the moth is on its back, pushing itself along the ground or spinning in circles trying to right itself.

Flies and other insects also do this as they become older and lose their sense of balance and coordination. Cockroaches are "famous" for it; they fall over repeatedly and eventually become too weak to right themselves, and die on their back.
… Robin McLeod, 5 September, 2009 - 12:47pm login or register to post comments

Moved
Moved from Moths.
… Mardon Erbland, 14 August, 2009 - 7:50pm login or register to post comments

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