MOTHS

MOTHS OF ADAMS COUNTY AND YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

ORDER LEPIDOPTERA

Lepidoptera is an order of insect that includes moths and butterflies.
Members of the order are referred to as lepidopterans. A person
who collects or studies this order is referred to as a lepidopterist.
This order has more than 180,000 species in 128 families and 47 superfamilies.
The name is derived from Ancient Greek λεπίδος (scale) and πτερόν (wing).

The text above is from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia and is licensed under the GFDL.

VISIT MY PAGES AT THE "MOTH PHOTOGRAPHERS GROUP"

ALL PHOTOS WERE TAKEN OF LIVE MOTHS IN THE WILD.

BACK TO HOME PAGE.......MOTH SEARCH

CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE OR OPEN A ::GALLERY::

:: CLEARWING MOTHS-Family Sesiidae ::
:: LEAFROLLER MOTHS-Family Tortricidae ::
:: SLUG CATERPILLAR MOTHS-Family Limacodidae ::
:: CRAMBID SNOUT MOTHS-Family Crambidae ::

:: PYRALID MOTHS-Family Pyralidae ::
:: PLUME MOTHS-Family Pterophoridae ::
:: GEOMETRID MOTHS-Family Geometridae ::
:: TENT CATERPILLAR & LAPPET MOTHS-Family Lasiocampidae ::

:: GIANT SILKMOTHS AND ROYAL MOTHS-Family Saturniidae ::
:: SPHINX MOTHS-Family Sphingidae ::
:: PROMINENT MOTHS-Family Notodontidae ::
:: TIGER MOTHS-Sub-Family Arctiinae ::

:: TUSSOCK MOTHS-Sub-Family Lymantriinae ::
:: CATOCALAS AND ZALES-Family Erebidae ::
:: OWLET MOTHS-Family Noctuidae ::
:: MISCELLANEOUS MOTH FAMILIES ::

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Jeanne Akin 23-Dec-2012 03:59
I have a moth framed that was my mothers.I think it is an owlet moth but I cannot find a picture of it..I live in Minnesota and she did too.When I was little I saw one outside the screen door and the outside light was on.I am 62 so this was many years ago.Can you help me solve this?jeanne15539@yahoo.com

Cindy Mead 07-Jun-2012 07:16
i've been missing you so much lately Bob.. I've been more active at the moth sheets than I have in years and I constantly wish I could share my sightings with you. You left behind such a wonderful legacy of photos my dear friend, but I miss our conversations so much.

Loosey 22-Feb-2012 22:46
Found a luna moth catipillar late fall of 2011. When it made a cacoon I detatched it from the branch. and keeping it wintered over in an uheated garage. first one I have seen in year's altho hatched one or 2 as a child 55 years ago. Wondering if this one will hatch out. Lucille..

Jeannette 04-Feb-2011 19:09
Would you like a photo of a luna moth when they come out? They are beautiful. Saw them for the first time last year and didn't know what they were. It is said they are endangered. Love your website. Great job! Jeannette, Central, Louisiana

Ali Majdfar 16-Feb-2010 11:19
STunning captures, ~V

Marc Vermeulen 13-Jul-2008 15:53
nice galleries you have.

Rachel W. 06-Feb-2008 00:11
One day last summer we had about 100 caterpillars crawling across our driveway. After doing some computer searching, we discovered that they were black walnut caterpillars. Since my 8-year old daughter had to do a science fair project this year we decided to create an artificial environment for growing the moths. She placed four catepillars in a bug box and filled it with soil. The catepillars quickly burrowed themselves into the soil. We added leaves from the trees (it sounded like a good thing to do) and periodically added about a 1/4 a cup of water. We assumed that if the soil was going to be getting moisture in the natural habitat then we should duplicate that as well.
A few weeks later two moths appeared in the bug box. We took pictures for my daughter's science project and let the moths fly away. Since the other two caterpillars had not reappeared, we closed the box, added some more water and waited. About two weeks later two insects appeared. Instead of moths they resembled large flies. And they were not the brown/orange color of the moths but black. My daughter is beginning her science fair board and we were wondering what to say about the other two "creatures" in the box. Do you know what they could have been?
Thank you for your time.

lily soto 29-Aug-2007 05:29
I have a poplar howk-moth, found it in my chili garden after he aye two of my plants.
I know that they mostly from Europe, I like to know what's it doing here. If possible.

Guest 10-Jul-2007 20:55
Have you any pics. of "The Black Witch"? I believe it is the largest moth north of the Rio Grande. I had one come into my house and settle near the ceiling on the rock fireplace. I left doors open that night so it could leave, but found it dead the next day on my bedroom floor. I have it in a box. Mucielagos

Guest 30-Jul-2006 21:29
such a gorgeouis collection here...wow.....I know moths are not easy to catch...I tried often but they can't sit still !!!!!!! You have such a beauties here....just wonderful !!

Ilona

Ashley Hockenberry 21-Jul-2006 18:34
Amazing collection

Ashley
Toronto

tess 13-Jul-2006 15:37
black and yellow striped hummingbird moth but NOT clearwing...long tapered beak...
specific name? clear image available please?

drobyn 13-Jul-2006 12:16
Wonderful! Being a city girl I will never forget being visited by a hummingbird moth for the first time and how we all ran into the garage as fast as we could get there. Since over coming my fear of flying things I've actually gotten some nice shots of hummingbird moths. Amazing how close they will let you come.

Jeremy Scott-Maber 11-Jul-2006 12:38
Hi Um daft question maybe, but last week I found a moth with a black and white ringed abdomen, a white black spotted head, it was quite large. I have never seen anything like it. can you suggest what it was. Many thanks for taking the time if you do.

Lloyd & Sandy Spitalnik 04-Jul-2006 18:19
Exceptional moth gallery! The moths are lovely and the photography outstanding. VOTE S&L

moss 02-Jul-2006 23:42
im not into moths, but whats the difference between a moth and a butterfly also there are 2 very strang pale yellow moths in my room , i dont know what they are but i took a pic. email me. moss

Guest 19-Jun-2006 10:35
Fantastic collection!!!

Guest 10-Mar-2006 16:03
I love the photos-great!

akleja 16-Jan-2006 17:59
Wonderful pictures and very educational! vote!

Guest 03-Nov-2005 22:27
cool

Len Hess 02-Jul-2005 22:38
Bob,
I believe your Sphingidae moth is a Lettered Sphinx (Deidamia inscripta). If you have access to the Peterson "Eastern Moths", check Plate 6, #14. Food plants are Ampelopsis, grapes, and Virginia Creeper. We are in its range, its common and found March-June. I have several photos, and the abdomen is usually raised up between the wings.

click on thumbnails for full image

:: CLEARWING MOTHS-Family Sesiidae ::	:: LEAFROLLER MOTHS-Family Tortricidae ::	:: SLUG CATERPILLAR MOTHS-Family Limacodidae ::	:: CRAMBID SNOUT MOTHS-Family Crambidae ::
:: PYRALID MOTHS-Family Pyralidae ::	:: PLUME MOTHS-Family Pterophoridae ::	:: GEOMETRID MOTHS-Family Geometridae ::	:: TENT CATERPILLAR & LAPPET MOTHS-Family Lasiocampidae ::
:: GIANT SILKMOTHS AND ROYAL MOTHS-Family Saturniidae ::	:: SPHINX MOTHS-Family Sphingidae ::	:: PROMINENT MOTHS-Family Notodontidae ::	:: TIGER MOTHS-Sub-Family Arctiinae ::
:: TUSSOCK MOTHS-Sub-Family Lymantriinae ::	:: CATOCALAS AND ZALES-Family Erebidae ::	:: OWLET MOTHS-Family Noctuidae ::	:: MISCELLANEOUS MOTH FAMILIES ::

Type your message and click Add Comment

It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest. Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help	private comment

Jeanne Akin		23-Dec-2012 03:59
I have a moth framed that was my mothers.I think it is an owlet moth but I cannot find a picture of it..I live in Minnesota and she did too.When I was little I saw one outside the screen door and the outside light was on.I am 62 so this was many years ago.Can you help me solve this?jeanne15539@yahoo.com

Cindy Mead		07-Jun-2012 07:16
i've been missing you so much lately Bob.. I've been more active at the moth sheets than I have in years and I constantly wish I could share my sightings with you. You left behind such a wonderful legacy of photos my dear friend, but I miss our conversations so much.

Loosey		22-Feb-2012 22:46
Found a luna moth catipillar late fall of 2011. When it made a cacoon I detatched it from the branch. and keeping it wintered over in an uheated garage. first one I have seen in year's altho hatched one or 2 as a child 55 years ago. Wondering if this one will hatch out. Lucille..

Jeannette		04-Feb-2011 19:09
Would you like a photo of a luna moth when they come out? They are beautiful. Saw them for the first time last year and didn't know what they were. It is said they are endangered. Love your website. Great job! Jeannette, Central, Louisiana

Rachel W.		06-Feb-2008 00:11
One day last summer we had about 100 caterpillars crawling across our driveway. After doing some computer searching, we discovered that they were black walnut caterpillars. Since my 8-year old daughter had to do a science fair project this year we decided to create an artificial environment for growing the moths. She placed four catepillars in a bug box and filled it with soil. The catepillars quickly burrowed themselves into the soil. We added leaves from the trees (it sounded like a good thing to do) and periodically added about a 1/4 a cup of water. We assumed that if the soil was going to be getting moisture in the natural habitat then we should duplicate that as well. A few weeks later two moths appeared in the bug box. We took pictures for my daughter's science project and let the moths fly away. Since the other two caterpillars had not reappeared, we closed the box, added some more water and waited. About two weeks later two insects appeared. Instead of moths they resembled large flies. And they were not the brown/orange color of the moths but black. My daughter is beginning her science fair board and we were wondering what to say about the other two "creatures" in the box. Do you know what they could have been? Thank you for your time.

lily soto		29-Aug-2007 05:29
I have a poplar howk-moth, found it in my chili garden after he aye two of my plants. I know that they mostly from Europe, I like to know what's it doing here. If possible.

Guest		10-Jul-2007 20:55
Have you any pics. of "The Black Witch"? I believe it is the largest moth north of the Rio Grande. I had one come into my house and settle near the ceiling on the rock fireplace. I left doors open that night so it could leave, but found it dead the next day on my bedroom floor. I have it in a box. Mucielagos

Guest		30-Jul-2006 21:29
such a gorgeouis collection here...wow.....I know moths are not easy to catch...I tried often but they can't sit still !!!!!!! You have such a beauties here....just wonderful !! Ilona

Ashley Hockenberry		21-Jul-2006 18:34
Amazing collection Ashley Toronto

tess		13-Jul-2006 15:37
black and yellow striped hummingbird moth but NOT clearwing...long tapered beak... specific name? clear image available please?

drobyn		13-Jul-2006 12:16
Wonderful! Being a city girl I will never forget being visited by a hummingbird moth for the first time and how we all ran into the garage as fast as we could get there. Since over coming my fear of flying things I've actually gotten some nice shots of hummingbird moths. Amazing how close they will let you come.

Jeremy Scott-Maber		11-Jul-2006 12:38
Hi Um daft question maybe, but last week I found a moth with a black and white ringed abdomen, a white black spotted head, it was quite large. I have never seen anything like it. can you suggest what it was. Many thanks for taking the time if you do.

Lloyd & Sandy Spitalnik		04-Jul-2006 18:19
Exceptional moth gallery! The moths are lovely and the photography outstanding. VOTE S&L

moss		02-Jul-2006 23:42
im not into moths, but whats the difference between a moth and a butterfly also there are 2 very strang pale yellow moths in my room , i dont know what they are but i took a pic. email me. moss

akleja		16-Jan-2006 17:59
Wonderful pictures and very educational! vote!

Len Hess		02-Jul-2005 22:38
Bob, I believe your Sphingidae moth is a Lettered Sphinx (Deidamia inscripta). If you have access to the Peterson "Eastern Moths", check Plate 6, #14. Food plants are Ampelopsis, grapes, and Virginia Creeper. We are in its range, its common and found March-June. I have several photos, and the abdomen is usually raised up between the wings.