Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1322561

Observation date: April 17, 2022
Submitted by: robpendergast
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Found while gardening. I did have one modified bug zapper up last fall, but I didn’t have it in the more forested backyard against a sheet so it should be interesting to see how it does once it warms up. Over winter I did accumulate several more light fixtures and sheets so my set up will be much more elaborate than last year, I’m quite excited to see how it goes! I think I stumbled across some of your photos on iNaturalist, your macro shots are fantastic! What kind of camera/lens do you use? Eventually, I’d like to get something other than my phone. The website has definitely improved in more recent years, there’s a number of things that could be implemented/improved, but as a current software development student I understand how involved they may be.
Status: Resident
Verified by: Ilona L.
Verified date: April 18, 2022
Coordinator notes: Many of the Pseudexentera moths still cannot be placed to species judging by the large number of them at genus level on Bugguide. I've posted a number of them through the years and that's where they remain - genus level. Best advice is to get some clear side shots of these moths. I agree with you that the two you mentioned above seem possible with P. spoliana seeming to be more likely but since I'm not certain, I'll leave at sp. level. If you do get a definite ID from elsewhere, just let me know the record number (in this case 1322561) and I'll make the change. Thanks for the comment on the photos on iNaturalist. Finally have a place to get the IDs for a lot of other stuff I've photographed through the years. As for the make of camera, just click on the "i" on the posted photos. Each photo has an icon on the bottom with a cc, a flag and an i. The i has all the camera information and software use. My favorite for nighttime photography is a Panasonic DMC -L10. Daytime photos in natural settings usually are taken with other cameras.
Checklist region(s): United States, Wisconsin, Portage County