Metrioptera sphagnorum (aka Sphagniana sphagnorum)

Metrioptera sphagnorum attracted to an incandescent porch light. If this identification is correct it may be a first report in the US. All other occurrences are from Canada.

comments (12)

Christine Young

Lion

Cool find! Posted 6 years ago
1. Gary B
  
  Lion
  
  Pretty sure this is Metrioptera sphagnorum. I've submitted it to BG to find out what they think. Posted 6 years ago
2. Gary B
  
  Lion
  
  BG confirmed that this is Metrioptera sphagnorum. I'm hoping it comes by again tonight. Posted 6 years ago, modified 6 years ago
3. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    Great! Hope it returns for you! Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Gary B
      
      Lion
      
      Got cold last night so I guess that might be a reason it didn't show. Tonight is supposed to be warmer so I'm hoping again. Posted 6 years ago
    2. 1. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        It's been cool here at night too. I only got one moth last night! Posted 6 years ago
      2. Gary B
        
        Lion
        
        One moth? It must be cold. The moths and other insects have been very busy here each night this month. Posted 6 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Yep, one moth and a few caddisflies. I think it was around 60F. Definitely a cool night. Although, last night was in the low 60's and I had a couple dozen moths. Posted 6 years ago
        
        Gary B
        
        Lion
        
        60s at night is warm here! The katydid has not come back but it is out there. I just got an email from the University of Minnesota Entomology Department about the katydid. They have one specimen from the western side of the state collected in the 1970s. Posted 6 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Yeah, I think moths in the NE are spoiled. They won't fly unless it's warm.
        
        And, that's awesome about the katydid! Sounds pretty rare. I really hope it returns for you, but at least you got a shot of it! Posted 6 years ago
        
        Gary B
        
        Lion
        
        I saw micro-moths on the snow here last year in April. The air temperature was in the mid-30s. Yep, spoiled moths in that tropical place you live in.
        
        I almost did not photograph the katydid thinking it was just some common grasshopper. The wing shape and coloration looks like a grasshopper. But when I saw the ovipositor I knew it was a katydid. Posted 6 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Mid-30's is awesome and insane. I wish I had moths at those temps. You have some hardy moths for sure! Posted 6 years ago