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Ctenucha virginica
According to butterfliesandmoths.org: "The largest and most broad-winged of wasp moths in North America. Body metallic blue; head and sides of collar orange. Forewing deep grayish brown, metallic blue at base. Hindwing black. Fringes on all wings partly white."
Found on the foliaged edge of a brook in the Adirondacks.
My observations: the blue on its back shines in a metallic way in the sun, and the wings have a faint rainbow sheen. Very dainty and was perfectly calm while I took the photos.
Spotted on Jun 22, 2012
Submitted on Jun 22, 2012
3 Comments
lovely spotting!
Thanks Keith, you are completely correct. Changing ID tags. Cheers!
I tend to think this is a Virginia Ctenucha Moth - Ctenucha virginica. In YCS Moth the yellow tends to extend across the thorax in a straight line and extend down the forewing margins as well. Compare to Virginia Ctenucha where most of the yellow is on the head, but extends to the front lateral margins of the thorax.
http://bugguide.net/node/view/7773