A new little friend for The Moth Series *LOVE* (view this photo on Flickr and Tumblr)
From looking on BugGuide.net, I thought this might be a Beggar Moth (Eubaphe mendica) — but the more I look at photos of Beggar Moths, I can’t find one with wings spread at rest like this one, and the markings and wings seem a little bit different. I submitted the photos to Iowa State University’s Entomology department to see if they can ID it for certain. I hope so! Then I can add it to my “moth watching” album! Yes, I am that nerdy.
UPDATE! Heard back from the University:
This is probably Currant Spanworm moth (Speranza ribearia). There is very little info on internet, but matches photo in Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America and in Golden Guide to Butterflies & Moths. The Field Guide says it is “uncommon” and that caterpillars feed on currants and gooseberry.
Neat!