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Hi Chris & All,
When I first examined this moth I compared it to the Ctenucha as well as
Graspella Skeletonizer. The moths here have a more pointed forewing and both
wings appear somewhat translucent. I can't see a difference between the fore
and hind wing colors.The collar in Cisseps has three parts in a triangle and
the Ctenucha only one between the eyes. There is no bright blue on the
thorax behind the collar although the thorax has a bluish tinge. The thorax
of the Ctenucha is thicker than the Cisseps and this is closer to the moths
seen here.
The Skeletonizer was dismissed because it perches with wings
outstretched and this moth has closed wings when landed.
If you have questions or other things I can look for let me know. I'll
send up some specimens with my next beetle shipment. All the best.
Fritz
----Original Message Follows----
From: Christopher Majka <c.majka@ns.sympatico.ca>
Reply-To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Subject: Re: [NatureNS] Yellow-collared Scape Moth invasion
Date: Tue, 8 Aug 2006 17:14:04 -0300
Hi Fritz,
On 8-Aug-06, at 3:27 PM, Fritz McEvoy wrote:
>Hi all,
> Over the last week the valley has been deluged with Yellow- collared
>Scape Moth-Hodges 8267(Cisseps Fulvicollis). They cover every flower
>especially Ragweed and Goldenrod,often dozens on a single flower head.
>Although most are black and orange I have observed some that have yellow
>collars and a few that look beige.They seem to be an interesting species,a
>wasp mimic and nectar feeder, the proboscis is almost 1/2 the moths
>length. Is this a local phenomenon or are they widespread in the province?
>All the best.
Are you certain that you are seeing Cisseps fulvicollis (Hubner)
(Yellow-collared Scape Moth) rather than Ctenucha virginica Esper (Virginia
Ctenucha)? Both species are present in Nova Scotia, however, the Virginia
Ctenucha is normally the common species. Ferguson (1955) doesn't mention C.
fulvicollis as occurring on Cape Breton, whereas C. virginica is definitely
common there. The hindwing of the former species is translucent as in:
http://www.boldsystems.org/pics/LGSMB/DNA-ATBI-1157.jpg
Whereas the hindwing of the latter species is not as in:
http://www.cedarcreek.umn.edu/insects/newslides/027073074001bp.jpg
In any event, the Virginia Ctenucha can, indeed, be exceedingly common.
Ferguson (1955) mentions that they can come in enormous numbers to light.
The larvae feed on grasses, irises, & sedges.
Cheers!
Chris
> Fritz McEvoy
> Sunrise Valley CB (near Dingwall)
>
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Christopher Majka - Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History
1747 Summer Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 3A6
(902) 424-6435 Email <c.majka@ns.sympatico.ca>
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