Like Coal to Newcastle, but - what moth? - Zale lafontainei

Moved

Moved from Zale.

The Zale viridans "species group" is a taxonomic mess that probably involves several species in Florida. This is one of them. Eventually the group will be revised, and then a more certain species-level ID can be reached.

… Paul Dennehy, 12 April, 2016 - 9:44pm

Zale sp. nr. erilda

I've been in communication with Don Lafontaine. I've been advised that FL reports of Z. viridans, Z. obsita and Z. strigimacula refer to Z. sp. nr. erilda, a new undescribed species shown at BOLD as here as Zale n. sp. 5. It's a long story but Lafontaine & Schmidt have unravelled much of the mystery.

Edit: I have added further explanation on the Info page.

… Steve Nanz, 3 August, 2017 - 2:20pm

WOW!

After all these years! Thank you :)

… Cathy Wilson, 3 August, 2017 - 3:19pm

Thank you Paul :)

What a pleasant surprise this evening as I retire. Thanks so much.

… Cathy Wilson, 12 April, 2016 - 10:36pm

Moved

Moved from ID Request.

… Abigail Parker, 27 January, 2010 - 10:30am

Moth silhouette article link

This is a BugGuide article with black and white silhouettes of North American moth families. It won't get you to genus or species but it does narrow the search down, and with so many families of moths, that can be extremely helpful!

http://bugguide.net/node/view/21675

… Abigail Parker, 27 January, 2010 - 10:28am

Thanks so much for that link, Abigail

It looks very useful !

… Cathy Wilson, 27 January, 2010 - 10:40am

nice chocolate colors!

Very handsome moth. I had a hunch this was a zale from the thumbnail because of the shape, the way it holds its wings - I'm not good at describing anything but lady beetles, but if you look at Z. lunata images you'll see that their perched-flat position is distinctive.

… Abigail Parker, 26 January, 2010 - 4:03pm

Ummmm . . Choclate . . . :0)

Thanks! Yes, he is delectable looking, isn't he?
Interesting that the shape steers you to the genus. Guess I need to do a little research on moth silhouettes.

… Cathy Wilson, 26 January, 2010 - 4:12pm

there's a BugGuide article on it!

Look in the "Articles" section of the Forums, there's a great moth silhouette guide there. I've got Boss Over Shoulder so better not go looking for it myself just now...

… Abigail Parker, 26 January, 2010 - 4:21pm

take a look at

zale lunata

… Edna Woodward, 26 January, 2010 - 10:39am

oh great it posted twice

;-(

… Edna Woodward, 26 January, 2010 - 10:39am

Thank you, Eddie!

You nailed it. How the heck do you know where to start in pinning down an ID?

… Cathy Wilson, 26 January, 2010 - 2:39pm