Finally...something on the wing in IL

[Deleted]

Got some nice Psychomorpha epimenis which were on the wing. Also got an Elfin......exact species will be determined after it comes off the board.

[leptraps]

I like the top specimen in the RH Column.I have several specimens, all females that resembles yours. There is a specimen in the University of Kentucky collection with almost solid white for wings.

[Deleted]

I am sorry for not saying earlier when I posted, but that top right moth is mounted verso. Sorry if she appeared to be something she's not.

[Deleted]

Interesting species. I don't think I have ever seen any in southern Illinois

[Paul K]

Apr 19, 2016 5:42:45 GMT -8 @jtaylor said:

Interesting species. I don't think I have ever seen any in southern Illinois

They are in southern Ontario .
In Toronto's ravine parks they are not uncommon and they can be seen deep in the forest on paths or near streams.

[Deleted]

I guess I'm too far south of their range.

[nomihoudai]

Apr 19, 2016 17:52:23 GMT -8 @jtaylor said:

I guess I'm too far south of their range.

You are just in the wrong type of habitat. If you look at a range map of them you can see that they occur until South Texas! Many insects have very specific requirements for their habitat. This goes from soil type over to vegetation, humidity, temperatures, etc. etc.. If you are after one of these specialist species, and you are in the wrong type of habitat, you can be standing half a mile next to their specific habitat and never see them.

I have no experience with this specific species, but if you would want to find it I would recommend to read up about its host plants and requirements for soil type. Then look at a map where this soil type/vegetation type can occur and take a look there.

[Deleted]

I was meaning in the state of Illinois. But nevertheless you are correct they just don't occur in my area like the elusive buck moth.

[Deleted]

Larvae feed on the leaves of grape, Vitis (Vitaceae). They like woodlands with paths/roads often near a stream or pond. Males will puddle individually and are sensitive to careless walking......walk slowly and quietly looking about ten feet ahead of you and they do also nectar on blooming Prunus among others. These guys are extremely hard to keep an eye on in flight. If u think u see one, swing where it appears to be and then determine if it was it or not. I keep my hand halfway on the handle so I can make several swipes quickly when one flutters by. Where I caught my bunch, the heaviest flight times were between 12:00 and 4:00 pm and they flew even in fairly windy conditions. Where I caught mine, they were very localized......100 yards from the area had none.
Interestingly......when I went to other good looking areas, I saw none. Lastly, I only saw a few fly when cloudy.....most all were out in the sunny hours of afternoon. Caught one at 10:30 and the rest were during the times mentioned earlier. When I return, I'll try to take a pic to post of the specific habitat. Hope this helps a bit.

[Deleted]

Larvae feed on the leaves of grape, Vitis (Vitaceae). They like woodlands with paths/roads often near a stream or pond. Males will puddle individually and are sensitive to careless walking......walk slowly and quietly looking about ten feet ahead of you and they do also nectar on blooming Prunus among others. These guys are extremely hard to keep an eye on in flight. If u think u see one, swing where it appears to be and then determine if it was it or not. I keep my hand halfway on the handle so I can make several swipes quickly when one flutters by. Where I caught my bunch, the heaviest flight times were between 12:00 and 4:00 pm and they flew even in fairly windy conditions. Where I caught mine, they were very localized......100 yards from the area had none.
Interestingly......when I went to other good looking areas, I saw none. Lastly, I only saw a few fly when cloudy.....most all were out in the sunny hours of afternoon. Caught one at 10:30 and the rest were during the times mentioned earlier. When I return, I'll try to take a pic to post of the specific habitat. Hope this helps a bit.

[Deleted]

Oops.....forgot to mention temps. The three days I caught mine, the temps ranged from 68 to 80.

[mothman27]

Thank you Bill. I will keep this in mind if I look for them again. I caught my two in virtually the exact same spot too.

[Deleted]

Well, I went fishing at the same spot as it was overcast. Like expected...did not see a moth. So, took a few pics of the location. The last pic is of what I'm pretty sure is young grapevine growing on the hillside.

[mothman27]

Caught two more today!
All males so far

[mothman27]

Here they are