Vermont Moth Blitz 2021

     One looks to be wearing a majestic king's robe, another appears dressed for winter in July, yet another is all blue with an orange collar. One looks like it is wearing spikes and is called a Skeltonizer! One is called a Tiger and one is almost as big as a hummingbird. 
AND THEY ARE ALL LIKELY TO BE IN YOUR BACKYARD. 

Kent McFarland of VT EcoStudies invites us to explore our backyards for Moths.

"Join the Vermont Moth Blitz 2021 (July 17th to 25th) even if you are not a moth watcher! Explore Vermont's astounding moth diversity! By participating in our annual Vermont Moth Blitz, you will help the Vermont Moth Atlas develop a better understanding of the moths that call the Green Mountain State home. Join our project at https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/vermont-moth-blitz-2021.

Over 2,200 moth species have been documented in Vermont with new species being found all the time. Who knows, maybe you will find one! We encourage everyone, from experts to amateur enthusiasts, to find, photograph, and share their moth discoveries with the Vermont Moth Blitz during National Moth Week (July 17th-25th). Can we beat last years' tally? 

Check it out at https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/vermont-moth-blitz-2020. The Vermont Moth Atlas is a project of the Vermont Center for Ecostudies' Vermont Atlas of Life."  ~Kent McFarland, Vt Ecostudies

Bryan Pfeiffer reports that there are 800 moth species in Montpelier. How many will we find in Jericho?

The best part is you don’t have to go any further than your own backyard to find them day or night. Posting photos of them on iNaturalist helps scientists, and it can be interesting to find out the identification of each moth after you post the photo.

See some of my favorite moth observations from our backyard at the links below.

                                                          Virgin Tiger Moth

Confused Haploa Moth

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/86911344

Clymene Moth (Reminds me of a Knights of the Round Table shield emblem)

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/53275858

Virginia Ctenuch Moth 

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/84963606

Grapeleaf Skeltonizer Moth (Blue with orange collar - WOW)

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/86221567

Black-and-Yellow Lichen Moth

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54640211

Marbled-Green Leuconycta Moth (Reminds me of my grandmother's carpet).

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/83073068

Eight-Spotted Forester Moth

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/85494257

Ruby Tiger Moth

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54569501

Putnam’s Looper Moth (Looks like it's wearing a king’s robe)

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54566006

Apical Prominent Moth (Looks like it is dressed for winter)

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54565930

LD Moth (Check out its feathered antennae)

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54558718

Squash Vine Borer Moth

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/86089227

Snowberry Clearwing Moth (BIG)

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54549921

Member of the Plume Moths (Scary)

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/85387888

White-Spotted Sable

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/85418039

Bog Lygrophia Moth

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54569653

Reticulated Fruitworm Moth

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54567995 (orange)

Tortricid Leafroller Moth (Now that Marijuana is legal, this guy can roll his leaves without any worries!)

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54555865

See Bryan’ Pfeiffer’s post and some of his great moth photos at 

https://bryanpfeiffer.com/2021/07/15/be-the-flame-and-the-moth/

Bernie

Observing life in nature.

Connecting Vermont's historic habitat and wildlife, with our community.