Moth Identification

White Underwing (Catocala relicta)
While sitting in the entertainment area at the Queen's County Fair on Saturday I saw a fairly large moth land onto one of the posts in front of me. And with such a wonderful picture taking opportunity presented to me, I of course took its picture.

Sometimes moth ID is not easy but if the moth opens its forewings, thus showing its underwings, it is often makes the id much easier. This was the case with this moth. The White Underwing is the only moth we would see that has black and white bands on its hindwing and when this moth landed it intitally had its underwings showing. The White Underwing moth has a wingspan of 7 to 8 centimeters. (reference source: A Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America, by Charles V. Covell, Jr. 2005)

Surprising moth sightings continued to be a theme for next I saw a Maple Spanworm Moth (Ennomos magnaria) clinging to the brim of my spouse's hat! That was pretty funny. This moth, with its unevenly, scalloped wings and orange-yellowish colour was clingling onto the hat and at first looked like a small leaf. This also is a fairly large moth with a wingspan of from 4 to 6 centimeters.