Outdoor Ontario
Wildlife Reports => Southern Ontario Wildlife => Topic started by: gary yankech on December 05, 2021, 12:11:12 PM
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Hello everyone! As I have done previously, here are my annual favorite moth observations from this year. 2021 was a decent year, so far 207 species were observed, of which 39 were new to me. This year, I led moth night events in several new locales; Downsview Park, Robert E. Bowles Nature Centre in Kawartha Lakes, and a private land trust on the Oak Ridges Moraine. I tried to mostly include photos of moth species not previously shown here on this forum. As before, feel free to share which was your favorite, or one(s) you found interesting. Enjoy!
Backyard Moths
Despite setting up my sheets more frequently this year, new moth diversity was low.
Grote's Sallow, new species
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51723343572_0703f76956_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNBE2J)Grote's Sallow (https://flic.kr/p/2mNBE2J) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Small-eyed Sphinx
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724157396_e336dbf973_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNFPXb)Small-eyed Sphinx (https://flic.kr/p/2mNFPXb) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
American Bird's-wing, new species
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51725036665_dc9e5baae8_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNLkjZ)American Bird's-wing (https://flic.kr/p/2mNLkjZ) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Black Zale, new species
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724404253_c0b30baacd_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNH6kk)BLack Zale (https://flic.kr/p/2mNH6kk) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Rose Plume Moth
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724161621_8cf384f5f3_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNFRd2)Rose Plume Moth (https://flic.kr/p/2mNFRd2) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Kermes Scale Moth, a regular visitor to my backyard
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724408548_f9184e7a2b_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNH7Bo)Kermes Scale Moth (https://flic.kr/p/2mNH7Bo) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Boxwood Leaftier, another one of my favorite backyard visitors
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724164631_f0d2b3cfba_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNFS6V)Boxwood Leaftier (https://flic.kr/p/2mNFS6V) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Lesser Underwing, an introduced species to Ontario
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51723353597_e80b3f7fd4_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNBH1z)Lesser Underwing (https://flic.kr/p/2mNBH1z) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Yellow-faced Bell
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51725048450_10026eff72_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNLoQb)Yellow-face Bell (https://flic.kr/p/2mNLoQb) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Chokecherry Leafroller, new species
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724417488_ca0925ffc9_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNHagw)Chokecherry Leafroller (https://flic.kr/p/2mNHagw) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Undetermined moth, Genus Micrurapteryx, many moths seen are challenging to get to species level
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51723364072_64c82f64f7_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNBL8b)Undetermined moth, Genus Micrurapteryx (https://flic.kr/p/2mNBL8b) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Dark Marathyssa
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724827779_6e67b8c3ca_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNKgev)Dark Marathyssa (https://flic.kr/p/2mNKgev) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Ancylis brauni, new species
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51725057240_66e1914c08_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNLrrJ)Ancylis brauni (https://flic.kr/p/2mNLrrJ) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Larch Tolype
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51723369152_615a48d714_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNBMCL)Larch Tolype (https://flic.kr/p/2mNBMCL) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Yellow Nutsedge Moth
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51725059450_1d6fff144a_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNLs6Q)Yellow Nutsedge Moth (https://flic.kr/p/2mNLs6Q) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Sooty-winged Chalcoela Moth, another favorite but an irregular backyard visitor
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724427088_418bd537d8_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNHd83)Sooty-winged Chalcoela Moth (https://flic.kr/p/2mNHd83) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Argyresthia calliphanes
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724251486_119dacdd39_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNGiVq)Argyresthia calliphanes (https://flic.kr/p/2mNGiVq) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Downsview Park Moth Night, North York
Darling Underwing
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724140686_e1a256bd0d_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNFJZ5)Darling Underwing (https://flic.kr/p/2mNFJZ5) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Betrothed Underwing
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724142151_f9cc22922d_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNFKqk)Betrothed Underwing (https://flic.kr/p/2mNFKqk) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Box Tree Moth, new species, an introduced and invasive species to Ontario from Asia
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51725022550_092980b342_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNLg8C)Box Tree Moth (https://flic.kr/p/2mNLg8C) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust Moth Night
Ultronia Underwing
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724457998_ec0dc2d839_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNHniY)Ultronia Underwing (https://flic.kr/p/2mNHniY) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Carmine Snout
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724215691_47e2c8744f_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNG8hg)Carmine Snout (https://flic.kr/p/2mNG8hg) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Rosy Rustic, new species
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724867134_c43713fd2b_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNKsW3)Rosy Rustic (https://flic.kr/p/2mNKsW3) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Undetermined Moth, Tribe Olethreutini
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724218306_6c50005db7_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNG94m)Undetermined Moth, Tribe Olethreutini (https://flic.kr/p/2mNG94m) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Hologram Moth, an all-time favorite moth of mine
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51725100005_b080290933_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNLEa4)Hologram Moth (https://flic.kr/p/2mNLEa4) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Isabella Tiger Moth, the caterpillar of this species is known as the "Wolly Bear"
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51725132750_ae7ea5d61f_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNLPTC)Isabella Tiger Moth (https://flic.kr/p/2mNLPTC) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Robert E. Bowles Nature Centre Moth night
Kawartha Lakes, Ontario
Blinded Sphinx
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724916734_8c0aea22e6_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNKHFd)Blinded Sphinx (https://flic.kr/p/2mNKHFd) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Bog Lygropia
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724916969_6b3bb49076_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNKHKg)Bog Lygropia (https://flic.kr/p/2mNKHKg) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Johnson's Euchlaena Moth, new species
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724266526_18a6161e99_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNGooJ)Johnson's Euchlaena Moth (https://flic.kr/p/2mNGooJ) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Charming Underwing
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724511418_d75a701800_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNHDc1)Charming Underwing (https://flic.kr/p/2mNHDc1) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
White-streaked Looper, neew species
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724267246_09ef4db0a4_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNGoB9)White-streaked Looper (https://flic.kr/p/2mNGoB9) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Undetermined Moth, Genus Diathrausta
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724918284_54aa31a93b_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNKJ8W)Undetermined moth, Genus Diathrausta (https://flic.kr/p/2mNKJ8W) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Once-married Underwing, new species
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51725146920_3f6e391a86_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNLU6W)Once-married Underwing (https://flic.kr/p/2mNLU6W) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Forked Grass-Veener, new species
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724513778_a74bc401ca_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNHDTG)Forked Grass-Veener (https://flic.kr/p/2mNHDTG) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Curved-lined Vaxi
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51725148785_4950bb37ff_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNLUE6)Curved-lined Vaxi (https://flic.kr/p/2mNLUE6) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Oranged-headed Epicallima Moth, a very common but tiny moth, about 6 mm in length
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724515393_cba5e34843_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNHEnx)Oranged-headed Epicallima Moth (https://flic.kr/p/2mNHEnx) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Celery Looper
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724274136_9731bd88ca_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNGqDW)Celery Looper (https://flic.kr/p/2mNGqDW) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Bracebridge, Ontario
I set up my moth lights at a friend's cottage...but it rained almost all night and was quite cool for August.
Almost no moths showed up at the sheets
Reaper Dart, new species
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724909009_4cfa60132e_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNKFo2)Reaper Dart (https://flic.kr/p/2mNKFo2) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
Yellow-headed Cutworm
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51724502988_d06b0e5084_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mNHAFE)Yellow-headed Cutworm (https://flic.kr/p/2mNHAFE) by Yankech gary (https://www.flickr.com/photos/49663413@N08/), on Flickr
I hope you enjoyed these moth photos, have a wonderful holiday season!
Gary Yankech
https://gynaturephotography.smugmug.com/ (https://gynaturephotography.smugmug.com/)
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Wow, those are wonderful, thanks for sharing! Some of them are so artistic looking!
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Wow, those are wonderful, thanks for sharing! Some of them are so artistic looking!
Thanks Ally!
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Gary - Wow, these are fantastic photos! 8) My favourite is Larch Tolype. Last Fall at Riverwood saw a Wooly Bear caterpillar - apparently becomes a moth.
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Gary - Wow, these are fantastic photos! 8) My favourite is Larch Tolype. Last Fall at Riverwood saw a Wooly Bear caterpillar - apparently becomes a moth.
Thanks Joanne! Yes, I love the Larch Toylpe too, it is a strange but beautiful moth.
Gary
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Comparative moth morphology is not for the faint of heart. Alien is the only word to describe some of these species. Congratulation on the Once-married. Now find me a Twice Divorced. The White-streaked Looper actually looks rather intelligent and therefore I feel a little intimidated. Johnson’s Euchlaema is right out of a comic book, like a bat-moth, … holy flutter Mothman! Blinded Sphinx is a failed attempt at origami, while the Hologram moth looks like a “transporter” accident on the Enterprise. Say, do you think that the Carmine snout is armour-piercing? Let’s face it, Argyresthia calliphanes just made a bad landing … I know I have. I could walk away and it could surely fly away. Who doesn’t love a shaggy dog and Larch tolype sure does a great impression of one. I’m thinking that Dark Marathyssa is lethal. I believe that I’ve seen something of the genus Micrurapteryx at a surplus electronic component outlet so that suggests it is a moth that will conduct electricity, but is it AC or DC? Let’s keep sex out of it, shall we? The Boxwood leaftier looks prehistoric or other-worldly. Maybe the Rose plume will reincarnate as a dragon because it has got the look down pat. Wondrous display of moths that deserves its own museum. You should put on a gallery show. It will surely drive your patrons mad! Man, I need a drink. I have a Rioja open. Will drinking it ever remind me of exotic moths? Will I sleep well tonight?
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Comparative moth morphology is not for the faint of heart. Alien is the only word to describe some of these species. Congratulation on the Once-married. Now find me a Twice Divorced. The White-streaked Looper actually looks rather intelligent and therefore I feel a little intimidated. Johnson’s Euchlaema is right out of a comic book, like a bat-moth, … holy flutter Mothman! Blinded Sphinx is a failed attempt at origami, while the Hologram moth looks like a “transporter” accident on the Enterprise. Say, do you think that the Carmine snout is armour-piercing? Let’s face it, Argyresthia calliphanes just made a bad landing … I know I have. I could walk away and it could surely fly away. Who doesn’t love a shaggy dog and Larch tolype sure does a great impression of one. I’m thinking that Dark Marathyssa is lethal. I believe that I’ve seen something of the genus Micrurapteryx at a surplus electronic component outlet so that suggests it is a moth that will conduct electricity, but is it AC or DC? Let’s keep sex out of it, shall we? The Boxwood leaftier looks prehistoric or other-worldly. Maybe the Rose plume will reincarnate as a dragon because it has got the look down pat. Wondrous display of moths that deserves its own museum. You should put on a gallery show. It will surely drive your patrons mad! Man, I need a drink. I have a Rioja open. Will drinking it ever remind me of exotic moths? Will I sleep well tonight?
My oh my....that's a wordful....try reading this in one breath! THank you for your comic, yet reflective response.
Gary
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Another amazing collection of photographs. So many beautiful and often strange beings. Perhaps the strangest is the Dark Marathyssa, with its abdomen sticking up at an odd angle.
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Another amazing collection of photographs. So many beautiful and often strange beings. Perhaps the strangest is the Dark Marathyssa, with its abdomen sticking up at an odd angle.
Yes, thank you for your kind words. ...The Dark Marathyssa does not look like a moth, in the traditional sense. I wonder if aviation engineers and designers get their insiprations from nature.
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As always, a real treat!
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As always, a real treat!
Thanks! Enjoy the rest of 2021!
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Oh wow, another great annual report on moths. Thanks for sharing these photos Gary - some of them look like they are out of this world. I hope a book is in the making.
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Excluding those moths that are exotic in their morphology, the remaining more typical moths share the characteristic delta shape when their wings are folded and at rest. The aeronautical engineer Geoffrey de Havilland, who started the famous aircraft design company and brought the industry such iconic airplanes as the Gypsy Moth, Tiger Moth, Puss Moth and others, also had a side passion for insects, especially moths and butterflies. The folded wing arrangement displayed by most moths gave him the idea to build some of his planes, the DH 60 initially, with retractable wings so that the sports plane could be more easily transported and stored. He was an early moth-man, while you are a more recent incarnation and devotee. Perhaps you will be as famous one day. You already are so on this forum.
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Oh wow, another great annual report on moths. Thanks for sharing these photos Gary - some of them look like they are out of this world. I hope a book is in the making.
Thank you! My retirement goal is to open a photo gallery. But, a book does sound like a cool idea!
Gary
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Excluding those moths that are exotic in their morphology, the remaining more typical moths share the characteristic delta shape when their wings are folded and at rest. The aeronautical engineer Geoffrey de Havilland, who started the famous aircraft design company and brought the industry such iconic airplanes as the Gypsy Moth, Tiger Moth, Puss Moth and others, also had a side passion for insects, especially moths and butterflies. The folded wing arrangement displayed by most moths gave him the idea to build some of his planes, the DH 60 initially, with retractable wings so that the sports plane could be more easily transported and stored. He was an early moth-man, while you are a more recent incarnation and devotee. Perhaps you will be as famous one day. You already are so on this forum.
Yes, I did know that some aircraft designs were inspired by nature...like the helicopter mimicking dragonfly movements. Me famous though...that's very interesting.. haha, I'm glad everyone enjoys my photos, cheer my friends! I enjoy your bird and other nature photos as well.
Gary Yankech
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SS - I noticed your comment re the surplus electronic store outlet!!! Active Surplus? Which is not more!! How about Boeing surplus in Seattle, which i thinks is closed now also. My husband is an electronics geek, who worked in aerospace and also does it as a hobby. Needless to say, that is one on the list when we travel, visiting electronic surplus stores, if available.
Loved the moths pics!!!!!
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I 'wasn't exactly thinking of Active when I wrote that observation about a moth resembling an electronic component because for a long time Active was more of an outlet for surplus anything, whether electronic or mechanical, and also because Active lost a great deal of its appeal when it imploded into a single-floor, second story hole in the wall. I was actually thinking of Sayal Electronics back when it was in Scarborough on Victoria Park. Now it's located in Mississauga. I envy your husband if he gets to explore exotic and remote outlets. Just yesterday I was looking for a super bright LED to install as a headlight into am HO-scale Athern SW1500 switcher engine because I'm giving some model railroad gear to a neighbours kids. I couldn't find a single useful LED. Moreover, they are all 30 years old and in no way compare to what is available today, except that today you need to order such items online, which I don't do.
I can't recall if I actually purchased LEDs at Sayal, or elsewhere, but I did rummage through the stacks looking for components for building an electronic crossover for an audio project and large coils and capacitors for passive crossover applied to audio speakers. I ended up having to get that stuff at Audio Hardware, which is now defunct as well. due both to the pandemic and to flagging interest in DIY audio by the general public who are so severely affected by short attention span syndrome.
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207 species, wow. How many are there in Ontario?
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SS - I noticed your comment re the surplus electronic store outlet!!! Active Surplus? Which is not more!! How about Boeing surplus in Seattle, which i thinks is closed now also. My husband is an electronics geek, who worked in aerospace and also does it as a hobby. Needless to say, that is one on the list when we travel, visiting electronic surplus stores, if available.
Loved the moths pics!!!!!
THank you! Cheers!
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207 species, wow. How many are there in Ontario?
207 species is a decent number....I am pretty sure we don't know the exact number of species in Ontario. Northern Ontario is largely unexplored for moths...a friend of mine likely discovered a new species last year. David Beetle, co-author of the Peterson guide to North American moths has seen well over 1000 moths in Ontario. According to the Ontario Moth Atlas, there are approximately 3,300 moth species in Ontario. Though not up to date yet, you can view the atlas here:
https://www.ontarioinsects.org/moth/part2.html
Gary Yankech
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According to the Ontario Moth Atlas, there are approximately 3,300 moth species.
Gary Yankech
😮 Wow! I can't even identify one!
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According to the Ontario Moth Atlas, there are approximately 3,300 moth species.
Gary Yankech
😮 Wow! I can't even identify one!
I'm sure you know a Luna Moth? No? I know, it's crazy! many are also introduced and/or invasive! About 11,000 in Eastern North America. It took me many years to learn the ones I've seen....and there are still many more I don't know. But, knowing what family it might belongs to helps. Cheers! Stay safe.
Gary
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You may not know all of the moth families but I'm certain you know the best families. Eventually you will come to know the delinquent families once you've crossed paths with a major crime family. I'm not sure which are more invasive.
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You may not know all of the moth families but I'm certain you know the best families. Eventually you will come to know the delinquent families once you've crossed paths with a major crime family. I'm not sure which are more invasive.
Haha...yes, some moths have been down-right "criminal" to crops and such(ie Gypsy moth)...and yes....they are likely many more families that I don't know. Cheers!
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Gary:
While recently reading “Desert Solitaire” I came across a passage that briefly described the symbiotic relationship that the yucca plant has with a moth from the Genus Pronuba. The moth lays its eggs in the ovary of the yucca flower where the larvae, as they develop, feed on the growing seeds, eating them until maturity but leaving behind a sufficient number of seeds to allow the plant to sow its remaining seeds into the wind. The moth, upon initial arrival, transfers the yucca’s pollen from the anther to pistil thus achieving pollination. Mother Nature can sometimes be discreet. You probably know this already.