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Photo#555756
Tiger Moth? - Apantesis carlotta-nais-phalerata-vittata

Tiger Moth? - Apantesis carlotta-nais-phalerata-vittata
McFarland Park, Story County, Iowa, USA
July 30, 2011
Size: approx. 20mm long
This was photographed while blacklighting at McFarland Park. gathering_2011

Babs and Loren Padelford
Bellevue, NE

Moved
Moved from Apantesis.

Moved
Moved from Moths.

Apantesis sp.
Definitely a tiger moth, in the genus Apantesis. The genus is in need of taxonomic revision, and species determinations can be tough. This one is definitely NOT Apantesis carlotta, but phalerata, vittata and nais can have almost identical forewing markings. A. nais would be my first guess, but I'd wait for a second opinion before posting it to the species page...

 
Tiger Moth
Paul,

Thanks for your help with this difficult moth. It doesn't look like any of the photos in the guide. We weren't even sure it was a tiger moth.

Loren and Babs Padelford
Bellevue, NE

 
Difference
One reason this one may have given trouble is that the black areas of the forewing have a lot of the scales rubbed off, and the bare spots on the wing are reflecting a lot of light, giving the moth that shiny appearance. :)

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