South American Moths | Prairie Haven

Most of the moths I saw were at Bellavista, in the cloud forest in western Ecuador, west of Quito. There are small lights, along the walkway between the buildings, which are left on all night. The lights attract numerous moths. And the moths attract birds. Several Masked Trogons show up every morning to polish off the moths that collect there during the night.

I took some photos at night, and then again in the morning – early – before the birds could eat all the moths.

It’s very difficult to find information about South American moths. Some I have tentative IDs for, some I can ID to family. If anyone has ideas about better – or different – IDs, I’d love to know.

Sphinx Moth – Sphingidae family. Bill Oehlke confirms that it’s a Xylophanes sp., possibly X. crotonis.

unidentified

An Emerald – Subfamily Geometrinae

unidentified

Family Geometridae

unidentified

I’ve always wanted to see one of these moths. It’s in the family Alucitidae – Many-plume Moths. Each rib in its wings has tiny bristles that make it look like a bird’s feather.

Family Geometridae

Family Noctuidae ?

unidentified

Family Geometridae

unidentified

same as previous photo

Family Geometridae

Family Noctuidae?

Family Geometridae

Family Noctuidae?

unidentified

Arctiini – Tiger Moth?

Arctiini – Tiger Moth? Amastus sp.

Family Geometridae

This looks a lot like a Flannel Moth – Norape ovina

Family Geometridae Epimecis sp.?

Tiger Moth – Pachydota sp.

Tiger Moth?

Family Noctuidae?

This is a very odd moth – I think in the family Dalceridae.

Family Geometridae

Family Geometridae?

Family Apatelodidae – Quentalia sp.?

Pero. sp?

unidentified

Day flying moth found on a gravel road – unidentified

Tiger Moth? unidentified

I saw this moth in a different part of Ecuador – near the Napo River, east of Quito. It was in the airport terminal in Coca, fluttering around, landing on the passengers. In this photo it was resting on my backpack. It was very large – it’s wingspan was wider than my spread hand. It’s a Letis sp. – in the Noctuidae.

While I was researching these moths – trying to figure out IDs and information – I found places where other people have posted moth photos from Ecuador – some also from Bellavista, and some from nearby lodges. I also found sites which give information about the identities and habits of Ecuadorian moths – and butterflies. It was fun and helpful to find these sites so I thought I’d post links to them here.

Moths of the Amazon and Andes – photos and information by Adrian Hoskins

Butterflies of Amazon and Andes – photos and information by Adrian Hoskins

Moths and Butterflies of Tanadayapa Bird Lodge – by Mark Gurney

Neotropical Butterflies – Kim Garwood and others

Moths of Ecuador – by Jimmy Jackson, photos taken at Tandayapa Bird Lodge

Moths of Ecuador – by Linda Alley, photos taken at Tandayapa Bird Lodge

Butterflies of Bigal River Biological Reserve – photos from the reserve on Flickr

Moths of Bigal River Biological Reserve – photos from the reserve on Flickr

South American Lepidoptera – by Allen Chartier – choose moths or butterflies, then scroll down to the sections on South America

Sphingidae of the Americas – Spinx Moth information by Bill Oehlke

Ecuador Butterfly & Moth Photos – by Will Cook