Ceratomia undulosa - variation on a theme

Even within a single species of moth, there can be a great deal of variation in markings and colouring.  Here are some images of C. undulosa that I've captured recently, showing how much they differ. C. undulosa has the common name of the "Waved Sphinx" moth, as a result of its wavy-lined markings.

The larvae feed on ash, oak and other woody species, but the adults do not feed.

This image is an example of a clearly marked individual with all the expected wavy lines and the white reniform spots on the forewings.  This one is relatively easy to identify using standard field guides.

By comparison, this next individual is quite dark, which makes the white spots more distinct.  You can still clearly see the wavy lines and the checkered edges of the forewings.  Despite its differences, it's still relatively easy to identify this moth as C. undulosa.

This individual was waiting for me this morning.  It was actually a little larger than the other two I'd photographed, and confounded me for a while on the ID, until I received some help from an expert on Bug Guide.  This, too, is C. undulosa.  However, this individual is very faintly marked.  You can scarcely see any of the expected wavy lines, and the checkered wing edge is absent.  The white reniform spots are there, but only very faintly. The darker slash marks on the wings are a helpful identifier, but without the other markings, I was really stymied by this one.  Next time I see a different individual in this species, hopefully I'll be able to identify it!

Lappet Moth - Phyllodesma americana

Today's moth is a small brown moth that isn't startlingly beautiful or particularly attention-grabbing, but in my opinion, it is a moth emulating the appearance of a small hedgehog.  The shape of its head and the way its wing has a slightly scalloped appearance along the top edge give it that snuffling hedgehog look.

It may be hard to tell from this close-up, but this moth also looks rather like a brown dried leaf at first glance.  

Speaking of leaves, the larvae feed on alder, poplar, birch, oak and willow leaves, among others.  It's a fairly common moth throughout much of North America.  This was was spotted on June 1st, 2013.

Plagodis keutzingi - The Purple Plagodis

This little moth goes by the very fanciful common name of The Purple Plagodis.  To me, it sounds like an architectural feature of some kind.  Imagine the description of the trim on an old Victorian house - a profusion of white scrollwork detail, topped with a purple plagodis.  Doesn't that sound appropriate?

Here's the real thing - not quite so grand as its name might suggest, but still a lovely species.

I spotted it on my porch light on the morning of June 24.

The larvae feed on ash trees, which are abundant in this area.

Sphinx kalmiae - Laurel Sphinx

This stunning Sphinx kalmiae was waiting to be photographed on the wall outside my door this morning.

I used the tip of my finger to gently move the forewing in order to expose the striped hindwing.  The wingspan of this beauty can exceed 4 inches!

The larval stage of this moth feeds on laurel (Kalmia latifolia), giving the moth its common name.  Other food species for the larvae include ash and poplar trees, fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus), privet, and mountain holly.  The adult moth drinks nectar from bouncing bet (Saponaria officinalis) and Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica).