The various landscape of New Mexico hosts a rich array of moth coinage . From the impressive Polyphemus Moth with its striking eyespots to the unassuming yet adaptable Green Cloverworm Moth , these creatures toy of the essence function in the ecosystem . Delicate beauty like the Pale Beauty and the intricate pattern of the Salt Marsh Moth bring to the state ’s lifelike charm . With a form of habitat and lifecycles , the moth of New Mexico go along to captivate researcher and nature enthusiasts likewise .
This article compile 25 commonmoth speciesin New Mexico , along with figure of speech and how to identify them .
American Dagger
TheAmerican Dagger(Acronicta americana ) is a sizeable obelisk moth in New Mexico . With wingspans ranging from 2 to 2.6 inches ( 5 - 6.6 cm ) , they flaunt intricateblack and whitepatterns featuring zig - zags , checkerboards , and lines . Their name stems from the dagger - influence marker on their forewings . These moths prefer deciduous home ground like forests , parks , and backyard , where their Caterpillar flourish from July to October .
Ailanthus Webworm Moth
The Ailanthus Webworm Moth ( Atteva aurea ) showcases orange forewings adorned with four band ofyellow spots outlined in black , with hindwings of solid smoky gray . In New Mexico , variations live , such as smaller yellow spots in southern areas . Known for their speedy life cycle , they transition from egg to adult within four weeks . These moths pollinate by feeding on nectar , utilizing chemicals from their tree - of - heaven diet to deter marauder .
Fall Webworm Moth
The Fall Webworm Moth ( Hyphantria cunea ) vaunt a wingspread of 1.4 to 1.7 inch ( 3.5 - 4.3 centimetre ) with predominantlywhite forewings adorned with gray or blackrectangular spots . Their caterpillars , known to tip on over 100 hardwood tree species , construct protective tent around leaves , providing tax shelter and protection from predator . In New Mexico , they ’re visible between April and September , with regional variation in brood numbers .
Yellow-collared Scape Moth
The Yellow - collared Scape Moth ( Cisseps fulvicollis ) is predominant in New Mexico , sporting mordant forewings and bodies with an orangish or xanthous taking into custody . Thriving in wet meadows , parks , and woodland edges , they are active during the day , serving as proficient pollinators for various flush like milkweed , asters , and goldenrod . Their wasp - mimicry coloring deters predator while foraging , and they can have one to three generations per breeding season , winter as immature caterpillars .
Isabella Tiger Moth
The Isabella Tiger Moth ( Pyrrharctia Isabella ) demo a wingspan of 1.75 to 2.5 column inch ( 4 - 6 cm ) and features orange - yellowness to xanthous - brown coloring with thin dark spotting , accompany by a line of black spots down the abdomen and bright orangish forelegs . They conform to various habitat in New Mexico , even surviving in the Arctic through unequalled cryoprotectant yield during their sleeping stage . This adaptation aids their survival during frigid winters , allowing them to unfreeze out and resume their lifecycle in the spring .
Virginian Tiger Moth
The Virginian Tiger Moth(Spilosoma virginica ) boasts a wingspread of 1.25 to 2 inches ( 3 - 5 cm ) with pure white wings adorned by a few grim dots , while their abdomen display ashen with yellow stripes and row of smutty acid , with male possessing expectant , feathery aerial . In New Mexico , they live a variety of habitat , including hardwood timberland , rainforests , and urban areas , often catch around outside light sources . To discover fellow , they utilize unique communication method acting , with females give off pheromone and male pilot with their specialized antennae . They lean to have multiple brood yearly , with the last brood overwintering as caterpillars .
Milkweed Tussock Moth
The Milkweed Tussock Moth ( Euchaetes egle ) feature a wingspread of 1.25 to 1.7 inches ( 3 - 4.3 centimetre ) and presents a mouse-colored gray chromaticity with a yellow abdomen donning rows of black spots . While their adult mannequin appears unremarkable , theircaterpillars are adorned with striking tuft of black , white , orange , and sometimes yellow hairs . utilise chemical defensive structure mechanism against predator , they let out high - frequency clicks from their tymbal organ to admonish of their toxicity , ensuring their natural selection . These moths often coexist with Monarchbutterflies , both benefit from milkweed plants without harm them .
Polyphemus Moth
The Polyphemus Moth ( Antheraea polyphemus ) vaunt a 4 to 6 - column inch ( 10 - 15 cm ) wingspan , featuring reddish - browned , gray , or yellow - brownish upper wing with striking , magnanimous jaundiced eyespots rim in drab . Their restrain eyespot practice mimics a great horned bird of night ’s face , efficaciously deterring predators . In New Mexico , they inhabit various sphere , include forest , orchards , and wetlands , but live only about four days as grownup , prioritizing reproduction over sustentation .
Green Cloverworm Moth
The Green Cloverworm Moth ( Hypena scabra ) showcases a pocket-size 0.98 to 1.38 - inch ( 2.5 - 3.5 cm ) wingspan , with narrow fore wing in yellow , tan , or orange , accentuate by a central disgraceful line . coarse around outdoor lights , they shack in gardens , fields , and forest edges , although their larval stage can pose a threat to vegetables , warranting caution for nurseryman . With multiple yearly brood , they can be spotted throughout the twelvemonth in warm region and between March and November in northern climates , from time to time even on atypical warm days .
Io Moth
The Io Moth ( Automeris io ) with 2.5 to 3.5 - inch ( 6 - 8.9 atomic number 96 ) wingspans have strike color and a large eyespot on each hindwing . In New Mexico , they start predators and beholder alike by revealing these eyespots when peril . participating from May to June in northerly areas , they produce two to three brood in warmer southerly regions , with sightings from February to September . Despite their enamor appearance , their caterpillars suffer venomous spines and move in distinctive train , making them a captivating yet conservative view .
Salt Marsh Moth
The Salt Marsh Moth ( Estigmene acrea ) with 1.75 to 2.69 - inch ( 4.4 - 6.8 cm ) wingspread , has a notorious reputation as an farming plague in New Mexico . Their caterpillars consume various crop , require protective beat for corn , tomatoes , cotton wool , and numerous other plant life . participating from May to August , they produce one to four broods per year , depend on their locating . Remarkably , their cat utilize a unique defense mechanism mechanism , using silk chain as a chute to evade threats , earning them the soubriquet “ windsurfers . ”
Southern Flannel Moth
The Southern Flannel Moth ( Megalopyge opercularis ) , have intercourse for its furred appearance , possess avenomous caterpillarstage . recognize as the Puss Caterpillar , its delusory fur moderate back causing intense pain upon impinging with human skin . Be cautious in deciduous forest and adjacent areas , as encounters are coarse in backyards , playgrounds , and parks . Handle with care while handling brushing or sustain your K to avoid any awful incident .
White-lined Sphinx
The White - line Sphinx ( Hyles lineata ) Moth , often mistaken for hummingbird , hovers to sip nectar from various flowers using their farsighted trunk . Their preferredflowers let in Cardinal Vine , Petunia , and Lilac . During spring , females lay legion testis , occasionally leading to massive caterpillar migration , with reports of them covering entire road section . Their pupation occur underground , lasting around two to three week before their emergence as adult moth .
Carolina Sphinx
The Carolina Sphinx ( Manduca sexta ) Moth , recognized for its large size of it and hover ability , serves as an effectual pollinator , drawn to various flowers and tubular blossoms fat in nectar . However , its caterpillar point , known as the Tobacco Hornworm , poses a threat to crops liketomatoes , potatoes , and pepper . While participating year - turn in warmer regions , they only appear between May and October in cooler areas , with multiple broods possible in southern regions . After select a pupation site , they may overwinter before emerge as adult moths , adequate to of laying up to 1,000 egg .
Large Yellow Underwing
The Large Yellow Underwing ( Noctua pronuba ) in New Mexico , with a wingspread of 1.57 to 2.36 inches ( 4 - 6 cm ) , start predators with their vibrant hindwings during pasquinade . prosper in various habitat such as unfastened area , urban spaces , and park , they ’re primarily nocturnal and drawn to outdoor lights . Unlike other coinage , they have a comparatively long lifetime , averaging 55 days for males and 75 days for female , yet only produce one multiplication per year .
Spotted Tussock Moth
The Spotted Tussock Moth ( Lophocampa maculata ) exhibits a 1.38 to 1.69 - inch ( 3.5 - 4.3 cm ) wingspan , distinguished by yellow or tan forewing and a cream - colourize furred consistency . Flourishing in deciduous forests , they display polymorphous machine characteristic , ensue in various color variance . These moth and their Caterpillar exhibit specific regional preference for tree coinage , indicating a diverse culinary inclination . After a two - month eating full stop , thecaterpillars pupate within brownsilk cocoons attach to leafage , overwintering and emerging as adults the following give .
Alfalfa Looper
The Alfalfa Looper ( Autographa californica ) in New Mexico , swash a 1.42 to 1.65 - inch ( 3.6 - 4.2 cm ) wingspan , cleverly blends into opened habitats with its mottled gray appearance . Active twenty-four hour period and night , they feed on nectar from crushed - growingplants and are oftenvisible around outdoor spark . With multiple annual broods , their activity sweep from February to November in southern field and May to October in the north . unusually , their entire life cycle , from hatch to demise , can last a mere 30 days .
Pandora Pinemoth
The Pandora Pinemoth ( Coloradia pandora ) in New Mexico , with a 3.25 to 3.88 - inch ( 8.3 - 9.9 cm ) wingspan , exhibits a selective dieting , primarily feeding onpine treesand now and then Douglas Firs . Often found in Ponderosa Pine forests , they embark into neighboring area during population booms . demand a two - year lifecycle , females lay more or less 80 testicle on pine needles or bark , with think up lease 40 to 50 days . After overwintering , caterpillars resume course in spring , quickly produce until maturation in July or August . Pupation come in the soil , lasting one to five years , lead to universe booms every 20 to 30 years , hold out six to eight year .
Police Car Moth
The Police Car Moth ( Gnophaela vermiculata ) in New Mexico , averaging a 2 - in ( 5 cm ) wingspan , presentation striking black wings with gravid clean patches outlined by sinister mineral vein . Their black bodies , adorned with white smudge and bright orange accent , serve as a monition to predators . Synthesizing toxic chemicals and utilise a tymbal organ to develop ultrasonic dog , they successfully hedge predatory animal during both solar day and nighttime . With just one brood annually , females deposit testicle on leaves , hatching within a short seven days and winter as caterpillars before pupate the following season .
Western Tent Caterpillar Moth
The Western Tent Caterpillar Moth ( Malacosoma californica ) in New Mexico , with a 1 to 2 - inch ( 2.5 - 5 cm ) wingspan , lays 150 to 250 testicle in ellipse masses covered with spumaline to retain warmth and wet , safeguard against predatory animal . Despite maturing in a brusk three to four weeks , caterpillars overwinter within silky tents for protection . During universe irruption , they can swiftly defoliate tree diagram , although the trees typically go back . Their preferred tree specie variegate regionally , bet on their location .
Forest Tent Caterpillar Moth
The Forest Tent Caterpillar Moth ( Malacosoma disstria ) in New Mexico bluster a 1 to 1.75 - inch ( 2.5 - 4.4 cm ) wingspan , march sensationalistic , tan , or buff - brown annexe with parallel darker lines . Their universe fluctuates in cyclical pattern , with outbreaks occur every 6 - 16 years , lasting 4 - 6 days . Unlike their counterpart , they do not spin lawful tents but manufacture silk mats on tree trunk or branches for roost between feeding .
Pale Beauty Moth
Pale Beauty moths ( Campaea perlata ) in New Mexico bluster 1.1 - 2 in ( 2.8 - 5 cm ) wingspans and a typical pale green to grey - white color , sometimes transitioning to yellow with geezerhood . Their presence is prominent from late spring to early fall , with an affinity for outside lights . These moth in the main reside in deciduous woodland , overwinter as caterpillars and pupating before spring emerges .
People Who scan This Also study :
