Spectacular Underwing Moths III

We have a new expedition of Spectacular Underwing Moths! In this new expedition you will see familiar faces (species), but you will also see new ones. While it is hard to differentiate the new species from the old, there is one that will set itself apart: The Epione Underwing. The goal of this project is to look at the distribution of underwing moths over the last 100+ years. These data are needed to understand how distributions might have changed over time, and the only way to discover this is by transcribing specimen labels that are pinned to each specimen from the Florida Museum of Natural History’s McGuire Center.

It’s important to remember that you will be looking at two images per moth, dorsal and ventral. The reason for this is because there has been important information on the back of labels. So be sure to check both images! While checking both images, look at the amazing patterns, or lack of patterns, and the colors of the moth. The Epione Underwing does not have bright stripe markings, it has a solid-color hindwing. It might seem drab, but take a closer look at the moth’s ventral side, where a pattern resides. Obtaining these data from both sides of the label is very important for research and conservation of these beautiful moths, so please help!

— Stacey Huber, University of Florida