Venezuelan poodle moth

Venezuelan Poodle Moth

Do you want to pet it?

see adjacent photos for different views

Photograph shows a newly discovered species of "Venezuelan poodle moth."

While some people hate and even fear moths I find them rather amazing and would like to try and change peoples views on these unusual creatures.

Last summer I posted the photo above and identified the eggs as those of the Black swallowtail, because we had found them on Queen Anne's Lace, a favorite food plant for the BST. I was wrong, and never amended the post. Time to provide followup. Several weeks later the early instars (above) were ravenously eating, and it was obvious they were not swallowtail caterpillars. I had no idea what they were until several more weeks had passed... These are the classic "yellow bear" caterpillars…

Brace yourself for the Venezuelan Poodle Moth, a fluffy one-inch insect that looks like a cross between a poodle and an alien. The tiny hard chitin scales that create the moth’s fluff help disguise it from bats while also keeping it warm. Zoologist Dr. Arthur Anker captured the new species in the Gran Sabana region of Venezuela’s Canaima National Park in 2009. > CLICK TO LEARN MORE

The Chinese Moon Moth (Actias dubernardi) dazzles with vibrant tails and patterns. Native to southern China, it shares traits with Actias ningpoana, showing the diversity of moon moths across Asia. Both are closely related to the Luna moth. Their 70-85 day life cycle and use of pheromones for mating add to their nocturnal mystique, making

You'll laugh your ass off.