2016 April 11

   Jeremy Gatten writes:  I have an interesting moth from today that appears to be a melanistic Eupithecia graefii.  It was very sooty overall and the photo was done with the flash on, so it’s brightened up a bit.  It has the brown costa marks.  So, the Eupithecia graefii was my highlight of the day because I’ve never seen a melanistic moth before.  I don’t think any Eupithecia species is that dark, so I believe I’ve identified it right.  I find that exciting!  Other moths from yesterday at Hans Helgesen (which I didn’t even mention as the location), include: Cladara limitaria, Lithophane petulca, Feralia comstocki, Eupithecia ravocostaliata, Hydriomena nubilofasciata, and H. manzanita.

Melanistic Eupithecia graefii (Lep.: Geometridae)  Jeremy Gatten

   Nathan Fisk sends a photograph of a Western Brown Elfin sunning itself on the lawns of Abkhazi Gardens, April 9.

Western Brown Elfin  Incisalia iroides  (Lep.: Lycaenidae)  Nathan Fisk

   Annie Pang sends interesting photographs of Mesoleuca gratulata (White-ribbon Carpet) nectaring at the tiny flowers of Cleavers (Goosegrass) Galium aparine at Gorge Park.

Mesoleuca gratulata (Lep.: Geometridae)   Annie Pang

Mesoleuca gratulata (Lep.: Geometridae)   Annie Pang