Bird-dropping Moths
What are they?
Small moths with wings that are tented close to the body at rest, giving them a narrow, rounded appearance. The group name comes from the black-and-white markings of many species which gives them the appearance of a bird dropping, thus offering an element of protection from potential predators. The Spragueias have bright orange tones on the wings and can sometimes be found feeding at flowers in daylight.
Identification
Relatively small moths which could be mistaken perhaps with the tortrix moths or other microlepidopterans. Most species are fairly easy to identify with reference to colors and wing markings.
09062 Tufted Bird-dropping Moth Cerma cerintha
Length: 15-17mm. Flight Time: May-July. Larval Food: Mostly trees in the rose family such as apple, cherry and plum.
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09090 Olive-shaded Bird-dropping Moth Ponometia candefacta Length: 12mm. Flight Time: May-September. Larval Food: Ragweed (Ambrosia spp.).
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09127 Common Spragueia Spragueia leo
Length: 6-9mm. Flight Time: June-September. Larval Food: Mostly ragweed, but also found feeding on bindweed.
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09136 Common Bird-dropping Moth Tarache aprica
Length: 8-15mm. Flight Time: May-September. Larval Food: Members of the mallow family (Malvaceae).
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09145 Curve-lined Bird-dropping Moth Tarache terminimaculata
Length: 13-14mm. Flight Time: April-September. Larval Food: Members of the mallow family (Malvaceae).
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