Anna Tiger Moth (Apantesis anna)

Resting in leaf litter in a dense mixed hardwood/coniferous forest in NW Georgia (Gordon County), US.

I'm not sure if it was from the heat, but this moth was so relaxed it allowed me to handle it.

comments (7)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Beautiful! It seems there's only 5 species in the suggested genus. Any candidate you have in mind, or do they look too similar to tell? Posted 7 years ago
1. Flown Kimmerling
  
  Lion
  
  I'm pretty sure I needed a good view of the hindwings for an ID? I have it up on Bugguide (just in case anyone knows any different). I would have gotten a look, but I try to disturb wildlife as little as possible! Posted 7 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    I've read that wing patterns even within a single species are variable, so it's quite tricky. Still, doing some visual matching in general search, some can possibly be excluded, and to me it looks like Apantesis phalerata and Apantesis carlotta are key candidates.
    
    Take it with a grain of salt though :) Posted 7 years ago
  2. 1. Flown Kimmerling
      
      Lion
      
      I got an ID from an expert on inaturalist! He narrowed it down by the width of the lines/bands and the flight time! *note: I had more photos for reference on my inaturalist post. Posted 6 years ago, modified 6 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Excellent, congrats! Posted 6 years ago
  3. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    Yep, you need to see the hindwings, and even then, that won't verify the species ID 100%. For an exact ID, you need to dissect the genitalia on many of these species. Posted 7 years ago
  4. 1. Flown Kimmerling
      
      Lion
      
      Got an ID from an expert, twinsie! *note: I had more photos for reference on my inaturalist post. Posted 6 years ago, modified 6 years ago