COLORFUL MINIATURE MOTHS
Immaculate Virbia moth, photographed at Huffman Prairie. This species is also called the Plain-winged Virbia.
Ailanthus Webworm. Many people would mistake this insect for a beetle, but it is actually a moth, and one of the most abundant moth species in our area.
Common Spragueia moth on an ox-eye flower (false sunflower). This colorful little day-flying moth was photographed at Huffman Prairie on August 13, 2016.
Here is a shot of the hindwings on an Immaculate Virbia moth. Photographed in Adams County, Ohio.
Another Immaculate Virbia moth. There are several species of Virbia moths, and they are generally difficult to distinguish unless you get a look at their hindwings. I see Immaculate Virbias far more often than any other species of Virbia. They fly from May through August.
Another Orange-headed Epicallima moth. This one was photographed in Adams County, but I have found several individuals at my home UV lights as well. They fly in June and July. Note that some sources are now referring to this species as the "Orange-headed Callima" because the scientific name changed.
Common Spragueia moth, photographed in Adams County, Ohio on July 24, 2021.
Another Ailanthus Webworm. I find these moths in great numbers at my lights, every month from April through November.
Orange-headed Epicallima moth - big name for such a teeny, tiny insect. I usually don't try to identify moths that are this small, but who could resist such bright colors?
Rusty Virbia moth, photographed June 19, 2022. The hindwings of this species have spots on them, unlike the Immaculate Virbias above.
Common Spragueia at Crain's Run Park, south of Miamisburg. August 12, 2023.
Suzuki's Promalactis Moth. This species is native to Asia; it was accidentally introduced and is now spreading rapidly throughout the eastern United States. Their colors remind me of a clownfish.
Dichrorampha bittana. A few of these moths have visited my lights in late May and early June.
Spangled Pelochrista moth (Pelochrista scintillana). Photographed on July 1, 2016. This is my only sighting.
Suzuki's Promalactis Moth. I have found several individuals at my lights from June through September.
Another Dichrorampha bittana. These moths are variable in color and pattern.
White Pine Coneborer Moth. I have found a couple of these moths at my lights from April through July.
Another Virbia moth (species undetermined). There are several orange-colored Virbias that are difficult to identy unless you get a look at the hindwings.