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Help ID this tiny butterfly
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Posted by madsquopper (My Page) on Sun, Sep 4, 05 at 21:57
| Unfortunately I couldn't get a picture so I'll try and describe it as best I can. This butterfly was VERY small, at most half an inch wide and maybe closer to a third of an inch. Shapewise, it looked more or less like a pearl crescent, but the forewings maybe a bit more rounded at the tips. When it landed it had its wings flat. It was mostly black (perhaps a very dark brown) and it had 2 yellowish spots on each hindwing. The spot closer to the body was a bit larger. It was sipping on a lantana flower but was very fidgety.
The one book I have, Butterflies Through Binoculars (Eastern) didn't have any pictures that were close, and nothing listed that was this small.
Larry |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Help ID this tiny butterfly
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| Don't know...some type of skipper? |
RE: Help ID this tiny butterfly
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| Your description is quite good. It is likely a small moth, your best bet it to research Pyralid moth(s), family Pyralidae, genus Pyrausta. There are many tiny brown moths with markings in that family. Web photos of moths are numerous. If you ever get a picture, please post. |
RE: Help ID this tiny butterfly
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| It showed up briefly once more but I couldn't get close enough with the camera for a picture. I've been through two butterfly and moth sites but haven't seen anything that matches it so far. It's closer to 1/3 of an inch wingspan than 1/2 inch, and mostly black except for the four spots. The wings overlap pretty well, no gaps between fore and hind. Larry |
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