Bird-DROPPING MIMICS
Small Bird-dropping Moth. I have found a couple of individuals at my lights in June and July.
Giant Eucosma moth. This species is an excellent bird-dropping mimic. I have found several Giant Eucosma moths at my UV lights from June through August.
This moth belongs to the Antaeotricha genus. Two species are difficult to distinguish: the Schlaeger's Fruitworm and the Pale Gray Bird-dropping Moth. Schlaeger's Fruitworm Moths tend to be slightly larger, but there is some size overlap. (Unfortunately, all of the individuals that I have measured have been in the overlap range.)
Exposed Bird-dropping moth, photographed along the Great Miami River at Franklin.
Exposed Bird-dropping moth. I have found a few individuals from July through September.
Olive-shaded Bird-dropping moth. I have found a few individuals from May through August.
Another Olive-shaded Bird-dropping moth. The host plant is giant ragweed.
Another Giant Eucosma moth. Their caterpillars eat Cup Plants (Silphium perfoliatum). I added several Cup Plants to my garden a few years ago and they are spreading like crazy, which could explain what attracted these Giant Eucosma moths to my yard.
Black-tipped Rudenia, photographed on April 29, 2024 at my moth lights. These moths have a large range, and they use a variety of host plants in different regions. In our area, they are probably using honey locust. This is my only sighting.
Another moth in the Antaeotricha genus. I find these at my lights from April through August.