Plume moth variety 4 - Geina

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… Timothy Reichard, 18 August, 2023 - 5:47pm

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Moved from Plume Moths.

… john and jane balaban, 28 June, 2011 - 5:25pm

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… Beatriz Moisset, 20 December, 2010 - 8:28am

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Moved from ID Request.

… John R. Maxwell, 18 December, 2010 - 11:40pm

ID suggestion:

While on a haphazard browse of pterophorids, I found Geina. I suggest that this moth may be in that genus:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/57107

… Brendon E. Boudinot, 20 December, 2010 - 12:03pm

Sorry for the double post.

… Brendon E. Boudinot, 20 December, 2010 - 12:03pm

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… John R. Maxwell, 20 December, 2010 - 12:06pm

Wonderful

This is an extremely cool insect. What habitat did you find her in?

… Brendon E. Boudinot, 18 December, 2010 - 2:23pm

Brenden E. reply to your question

this was found at lights in Saratoga NY, in the Inland Barrens, a sand dune, pitch pine/scrub oak habitat. It is definitely one of the coolest moths I've seen. I love all the plume moths however.

Best,
Kenny

… Kenneth E. BARNETT, 20 December, 2010 - 6:10pm

Amazing!

Evolution can accomplish some incredible feats. Thanks for posting.

… Diane Young, 17 December, 2010 - 9:18pm

Granted there Diane. . .

but what the heck is it mimicking? The spines are soft. And I doubt a moth can see them. I'm not so sure a bird would care about a few spines. Are they trying to look like something, or is this a kinda aposametic mimicry of urticating things? Just don't get any feel on this one. Great great moth!! I can't find a lot of data on the food plant, maybe they sit among the spines of a thistle? LOL.
Kenny

… Kenneth E. BARNETT, 17 December, 2010 - 10:59pm

tibial spurs

While the tibial spurs certainly look aposematic and I'll bet they are indeed sharp, I can find nothing definitive regarding their function. Thoughts range from sensory (helps them balance on a substrate) to defensive (in some insects they are thought to secrete odorous chemicals). I suspect the mimicry is simply that the moth looks like dead grass.

… David E. Reed, 18 December, 2010 - 11:53am

Dave they do

look like some bracts on some grasses. But I'll make sure to see if any have secretions on the next one. Thank you Dave.
Kenny

… Kenneth E. BARNETT, 18 December, 2010 - 7:58pm