Monday, June 27, 2011

A pretty yellow moth for mellow yellow monday

I found this pretty yellow moth in a nearby meadow last week. It was fascinating as it reminded me of a delicate paper cutting. It looked as if the black areas had been crisply cut away from the yellow. That effect does not show up in the photo. Memory is a funny thing sometimes. When I went home I told my husband I had seen a geometer moth!. a year or so ago I had found a very similar looking moth which I identified as a false crocus geometer moth and that memory had stayed recessed in my mind. ( As I get older I am very aware of carrying genes from two grandmothers who both suffered from memory loss and dementria in their later years. so I am always pleased when my memory unlocks some identification puzzle for me.)
This moth even had yellow legs! as seen in this upside down view above
To be sure of my identification I sent a copy of my photo to Bug Guide:http://www.bugguide.net in hopes that they would id it for me. They did!!!! What a wonderful free service this is. They reported back to me that it was a Xanthotype moth. Another common name for this moth is the false crocus geometer moth! wow! I had been right when I had first seen it.

5 comments:

Ever Green Tree said...

What a lovely capture. I am sure they will like your picture. Interesting post!

Stephanie V said...

Good for you to remember a name like that. I wonder why it's a 'false ' crocus moth? So beautiful no matter what the name.

DeniseinVA said...

I've never seen a moth like this before, it's beautiful!

eileeninmd said...

it is a beautiful yellow moth, great capture. Happy MYM!

Maria's Space said...

That is a sweet moth. Very yellow and fuzzy.
http://reesspace.blogspot.com/2011/06/mellow-yellow-monday-fribee-with.html