New feature - Strangest Moth of the Month...

A recent brief encounter with the odd creature below (whilst listening to Whip-poor-wills on a bird race) has prompted me to erect a new monthly feature - enjoy!


Meet Phyllodesma americana, aka. The Lappet Moth. I don't see this one too often but when I do it never fails to make me smile and wonder "why does it look like this?" It's a snouty little devil with crazy tufted and crinkled wings and a warm orange glow. The larvae feed on alder, birches, oaks, poplars, willow and members of the rose family. The adult is on the wing most of the summer.
It looks good enough to wear as a hat - if it were big enough that is!