my favorite moths of 2018
Outdoor Ontario

my favorite moths of 2018

gary yankech

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2018 was a fantastic year for moths. I participated in numerous moth nights. Of the over 300+ moths I observed this year, I discovered and photographed three S1(rare) Ontario moth species. Here are some of my favorite moths photographed this year in Southern and Central Ontario.

Io Moth by Yankech gary
Io Moth

Arched Hooktip by Yankech gary
Arched Hooktip by Yankech gary
Arched Hooktip

Bee Moth by Yankech gary
Bee Moth

Hubner's Pero by Yankech gary
Hubner's Pero

Grape Berry Moth by Yankech gary
Grape Berry Moth

Green Cloverworm by Yankech gary
Green Cloverworm

American Lappet Moth by Yankech gary
American Lappet Moth

Little Virgin Tiger Moth by Yankech gary
Little Virgin Tiger Moth

Laurel Sphinx by Yankech gary
Laurel Sphinx

Chocolate Prominent by Yankech gary
Chocolate Prominent

Dark-spotted Palthis by Yankech gary
Dark-spotted Palthis

Yellow-shouldered Slug by Yankech gary
Yellow-shouldered Slug

Filbertworm Moth by Yankech gary, on Flickr
Filbertworm Moth

Green Arches by Yankech gary
Green Arches

Green Leuconycta by Yankech gary
Green Leuconycta

Sooty-winged Chalcoela by Yankech gary
Sooty-winged Chalcoela

Joyful Holomelina by Yankech gary
Joyful Holomelina (Verbia)

Wavy Chestnut Y by Yankech gary
Wavy Chestnut Y

Scarlett-winged Lichen Moth by Yankech gary
Scarlett-winged Lichen Moth

Partenice Tiger Moth by Yankech gary
Partenice Tiger Moth

Implicit Arches by Yankech gary
Implicit Arches, one of the three S1 moths found in 2018

Northern Burdock Borer by Yankech gary
Northern Burdock borer

Goldenrod Gall Moth by Yankech gary
Goldenrod Gall Moth

Dotted Sallow by Yankech gary
Dotted Sallow

Sumac Leaftier by Yankech gary
Sumac Leaftier

Buff-tipped Phaneta by Yankech gary
Buff-tipped Phaneta

Pale-headed Phaneta by Yankech gary
Pale-headed Phaneta

Clover Head Caterpillar Moth by Yankech gary
Caterpillar Head Clover Moth

White-lined Snout by Yankech gary
White-lined Snout

Beautiful (Chambers') Cosmopterix by Yankech gary
Beautiful Cosmoterix

Xanthophysa Moth by Yankech gary
Xanthophysa Moth

Labrador Carpet by Yankech gary
Labrador Carpet

Orange-barred Carpet by Yankech gary
Orange-barred Carpet

Eyed Pacetes by Yankech gary
Eyed Pacetes

Boxwood Leaftier by Yankech gary
Boxwood Leaftier

Black-edged Dichomeris by Yankech gary
Black-edged Dichomeris

Reticulated Fruitworm by Yankech gary
Reticulated Fruitworm

Honeycomb Micro by Yankech gary
Honeycomb Micro

Titian's Peale's (Crambid) by Yankech gary
Titian's Peale's Crambid

Lettered Sphinx by Yankech gary
Lettered Sphinx

Codling Moth by Yankech gary
Codling Moth  

Shimmering Adoxophyes by Yankech gary
Shimming Adoxophyes


Happy New year! Looking forward to a new year of birding and insects!
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
Gary Yankech


Axeman

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Gary -- thanks for creating that fabulous guide....ordinarily I don't pay a lot attention to moths....now I am.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »


gary yankech

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Quote from: "Axeman"
Gary -- thanks for creating that fabulous guide....ordinarily I don't pay a lot attention to moths....now I am.

Your welcome! Good luck.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
Gary Yankech


Dinusaur

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Congrats on your awesome findings Gary - thanks for posting.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »


Ed O'Connor

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Thanks very much for posting this amazing list of photos, Gary. Quite a collection, and it confirms a thought I've had for several years now, that moths can be addictive. I didn't participate in any moth nights last year but did try to photograph those I saw while out butterflying. A surprising number of moths are active during the day. Here's one of my favorites from last spring, a White-spotted Sable found in Taylor Creek Park.

White-spotted Sable by Edward O'Connor, on Flickr
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »


Shortsighted

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Absolutely amazing compendium of moths.
It boggles my mind and I may not recover until spring.
We lost quite a few moths in 2018, the likes of which will arise again
and this time I'll try harder to appreciate them, as you have kindly
pointed out we must.
Do you use a macro lens, or extension tube ranging?
Do you use an LED ring light?
I should give it try ... I'm shortsighted after all.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »


Dr. John

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Fantastic series of pictures.

Is there a book or website you can recommend for identification?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »


gary yankech

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Quote from: "Shortsighted"
Absolutely amazing compendium of moths.
It boggles my mind and I may not recover until spring.
We lost quite a few moths in 2018, the likes of which will arise again
and this time I'll try harder to appreciate them, as you have kindly
pointed out we must.
Do you use a macro lens, or extension tube ranging?
Do you use an LED ring light?
I should give it try ... I'm shortsighted after all.

Sorry for the delayed response, and thank you for your kind words. I do use a macro lens and tubes. I also use a ring flash. But, overall, I have crafted my technique over countless hours of practice. Just like photographing birds, It takes time and patience. Every night you never know what you will get, that's what makes mothing so exciting. Good luck, let me know if you wish to attend a moth night. I will be leading many this year, plus also in my backyard. You are always welcome to join.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
Gary Yankech


gary yankech

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Quote from: "Dr. John"
Fantastic series of pictures.

Is there a book or website you can recommend for identification?

Hello, yes there are a few resources I suggest.

1) Peterson Guide Moth to Northeast North America by David Beadle ( BTW he is from Toronto and the taxon leader of the High park Moth study Group, of which I belong)
 there are a few misidentifications with this book but it is an excellent book for beginner moth-ers. Very user-friendly.....make sure you grab the Northeast book, not Southeast
Don't be overwhelmed by the number of moths in the book (1000+)...you will likely not see many of these moths, try to familiarize yourself with the families

2) Moths and Caterpillars of the North Woods by Jim Sogaard....limited number of moths, but good beginner guide

3) Caterpillars of Eastern North America by David L. Wagner...focus is caterpillars but, has moth photos included, great book

4) www.bugguide.net (you will need to submit a voucher photo, someone will identify)

5) keyword - Moth photographer's Group (Mississippi University) Excellent online resource again, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the moth families to navigate this site, best bet is to key in specific moth you are looking for
 
6) iNaturalist....if you post photos here, I can try identify your specimens for you

I hope this helps....good luck! Any questions, email me  garyyankech@yahoo.ca
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
Gary Yankech


Dr. John

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Thanks. I do photograph interesting moths I see and having these options for identification will be helpful.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »


gary yankech

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Quote from: "Dr. John"
Thanks. I do photograph interesting moths I see and having these options for identification will be helpful.

Great...would love to see your moth photos. Good luck this year mothing! and birding!
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
Gary Yankech


Dr. John

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Quote from: "gary yankech"
Quote from: "Dr. John"
Thanks. I do photograph interesting moths I see and having these options for identification will be helpful.

Great...would love to see your moth photos. Good luck this year mothing! and birding!

Unfortunately, I have yet to venture into photo sites (I mainly just take photos for myself), so I have yet to post any photos here.  Perhaps I should finally take the plunge.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »


gary yankech

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Quote from: "Dr. John"
Quote from: "gary yankech"
Quote from: "Dr. John"
Thanks. I do photograph interesting moths I see and having these options for identification will be helpful.

Great...would love to see your moth photos. Good luck this year mothing! and birding!

Unfortunately, I have yet to venture into photo sites (I mainly just take photos for myself), so I have yet to post any photos here.  Perhaps I should finally take the plunge.

let me know if you need help....it's a tad tricky at first

Gary
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
Gary Yankech