All photos on this site are the property of John Himmelman. Unless stated otherwise, they have been taken in my yard in Killingworth, CT.
(for my children's and natural history book stuff)
Holy Smokes! On January 22, 2012, this site had its 10th anniversary! I went through 3 cameras, 3 blacklights, and photographed 194 species - in various stages. It's been so nice having an outlet to share these "jewels of the night", and will continue to do this as long as the moths keep showing up.
Happy mothing!
John Himmelman
Click on the image to the right for more information on participating in National Moth Week - July 20-28, 2013. Find a spot, call some friends, party with the moths!
Lappet Moth
Phyllodesma americana
April 28, 2013
I already have an entry for Lappet Moth, but I am always so pleased to see them this time of year.
The moth numbers and species have been steadily climbing - love this time of year!
To visit the page for this moth, go here:
Gray-banded Leafroller
Argyrotaenia mariana
May 1, 2013
A new tortricidae for the site! The 1st instar caterpillars of these moths are among those you come across hanging from a leaf on a single strand of silk as they await a breeze to carry them to a - hopefully - suitable new leaf. So much can go wrong with this! A passing dragonfly could snap it up. The silk could break, sending it to the ground amongst the scavenging ants and hunting tiger beetles. Or, it could just miss its target, dooming it to starvation. But enough of them obviously make it for this to be a viable method of dispersal. And it's kind of how the wizard found Oz...
The later instars roll their food/shelter into a tube, hence the name leafroller.
