As I was outside repairing our fence gate last night, the above creature entered our open back door. Is this creature:
a) Chewbacca the Wookiee?
b) Bigfoot?
c) A tribble from the Star Trek episode "Trouble With Tribbles"?
You decide:
Maybe a different view of this creature would help:
This view really gives it away:
If you haven't guessed by now, it is a moth:
I'm not sure what type of moth this is, but my best guess is some type of Tiger Moth. I found some species of Tiger Moths in books and online that look pretty similar to this one.
I was feeling bad that I couldn't determine exactly what species mine was, but then I came across this great quote from an experienced lepidopterist on ButterfliesAndMoths.org, confirming the difficulty of identifying moths - "If it ain't 'pretty' in some way, but just another brown fuzzy one, I wouldn't have a clue!"
I happen to think my fuzzy brown moth is pretty in some gross way, but that website did make me feel better about not being able to identify it. If you know what it is, please leave a comment!
[Update 6/24/10: I have finally identified this guy. He is an Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth. My insect field guide has a photo of a Western Tent Caterpillar Moth, which has a similar hairdo but no stripes and smooth antennae. On a hunch, I looked for photos of other types of Tent Caterpillar Moths on the internet, and I found the Eastern.]
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You're right. That comment does make me feel better about struggling with identifications of plain brown things.
ReplyDeleteWe just spotted one in Gloucester in our garden.where u in England when u spotted yours?
ReplyDelete