This extremely odd looking moth is a Dark Spotted Palthis (
Palthis angulalis) or as my FB friend Jenn calls them "Snouty McSnoutmoth." They certainly look like they possess a sizeable schnoz on them. In fact it is the long snout-like feathery projection that makes this moth stand out, otherwise this is a drably marked paper airplane-shaped moth with a wingspan at around 2 inches. They are common throughout the Eastern portion of North America and there may be up to three generations per year in Missouri.
The caterpillars feed on a wide variety of plants including forbs, woody shrubs and trees (alder, aster, basswood, birch, chestnut, fir, gale, goldenrod, ninebark, rhododendron, scrub oak and spruce). Look for them in tall grasses, deep vegetation or overgrown gardens. They hide during the day in the foliage and fly at night, and are often attracted to porch lights, pole lights and other light sources just like most moths.
Looks like a leaf.
ReplyDeleteCool. I just posted on the American Snout butterfly but wasn't aware of a snout moth.
ReplyDeleteSteve you're right they definitely have a leaf-like quality to them. Great camo.
ReplyDeleteBob and Barb---Snout Butterflies are awesome. I read on a website that the snout can become brittle and even fall off. I actually had that happen to one I had captured a few years ago. I don't see them very often and each time I have they were nectaring at my peppermint
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