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Collection and Identification of Moths
Probably the simplest way to locate moths is to turn on a porch light. If few other distracting lights occur in the area, a porch light acts as a beacon to the moths in the vicinity. A periodic check around the porch light usually will reveal a variety of moths.
For the more industrious observer, a setup including a black-light may attract a greater variety of insects, including moths. Position the black-light to illuminate a white sheet hung vertically (as in the above photo). A long extension cord will allow you to set up farther into a likely habitat.
After dark, the illumination of the black-light creates a bluish glow on the sheet, which is very attractive to many kinds of insects.
You may want to check your setup about every thirty minutes (or even more often). Take a flashlight to search the sheet for the variety of organisms you should find scattered over the surface. Moths and other insects will hang on both sides of the sheet. Ziploc bags can be opened and placed over a moth to capture it. Upon capture, many kinds of moths will flap incessantly and usually knock off many of the scales that give them their color and beauty. Quick refrigeration can reduce this damage by slowing the activity of the moth.
Thousands of species of moths have been described, and many species are very similar in appearance. However, a few general traits may help classify a specimen into a group. For example, species of moths such as the Luna (Actias luna), Cecropia (Hyalophora cecropia), Polyphemus (Antheraea polyphemus), and Promethea (Callosamia promethea) are quite large. Because of their diminutive size, a large group of moths are known as "micros." The moths pictured above are shown relative to their life sizes (Cecropia - H. cecropia - left; Horrid Zale - Zale horrida - center; and Pyrausta acrionalis - right).
The position in which the wings are held when at rest is fairly constant within a species but may vary greatly among species. Some moths, such as the Curve-toothed Geometer (Eutrapela clemataria -shown left), hold their wings flat and out to the sides. Wings are held in the delta position - wings form a triangle - in the resting posture of other moths, including the Dark-Banded Owlet (Phalaenophana pyramusalis - center photo). The wings of many moths, the Ailanthus Webworm Moth (Atteva punctella - shown right), for example, are held close to the body.
Shape and position of lines and color markings can be very important in making an accurate identification. For example, although the moths in the photographs above look somewhat similar, close inspection reveals differences in the markings on the wings. Notice the broad, brown postmedial line extending from the apex (tip) to the inner margin of the forewing of the Yellow Slant-line (Tetracis crocallata - pictured left). The much thinner postmedial line of the Confused Eusarca (Eusarca confusaria - pictured right) fades or hooks inward at the apex of the forewing. Note also the presence of the thin, brown antemedial line located near the base of the forewings of the Confused Eusarca. The Yellow Slant-line lacks this marking.
Click on the link below to see photographs of many moths of Arkansas.
Nature Trivia - Moths of Arkansas
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Renn Tumlison
Department of Biology
Box 7861
Henderson State University
Arkadelphia, AR 71999
Phone: (870) 230-5152
E-mail: tumlison@hsu.edu
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