The only record of anything from this family in ARCTOS is one Palonica pyramidata from Beaver Creek. If I even have the correct family this would be the first iNat record for Alaska.
It was on the siding of my house, so I have no plant association for it.
Length measured at 10 mm.
Used an aquarium to experiment with what I believe to be C. nava nymphs on cordwood. This is second one to emerge (undergo ecdysis?); close behind it is its molt. I don’t know when it emerged but was lucky enough to discover it as a new teneral. These dorsal view photos show it undergoing sclerotization (or tanning) (~ mid 70*s) were taken at 16:48, 17:29, 17:53, 18:15, 18:42 and 19:24 at dusk. Quit at that point. The adult C. nava gone by 8:20 next morning. Brought the cordwood log out so it could venture forth. Additional photos, especially lateral, I’ll put in a second observation. Molt closeups of another paired molt/new adult at: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/237652152
I set up three sheets in the Long Pine Key picnic area in Everglades National Park for blacklighting. I mostly focused on moths but did photograph a good array of other insects after making my second rounds at all three sheets.
1: One of the bathrooms had a working electrical outlet, which I used to power my Bioquip blacklight.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?d1=2022-07-27&d2=2022-07-28&nelat=25.400937497328055&nelng=-80.65632596711548&order=asc&order_by=observed_on&place_id=any&project_id=blacklighting-florida&swlat=25.400271193797128&swlng=-80.6595164547387&user_id=joemdo
2: Area near bank of lake but with some pineland plants around. Sheet hung between two pines, two DJ blacklights connected to USB powerpack
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?d1=2022-07-27&d2=2022-07-28&nelat=25.400279140226335&nelng=-80.65574765742898&order=asc&order_by=observed_on&place_id=any&project_id=blacklighting-florida&swlat=25.39961283305993&swlng=-80.65893814505219&user_id=joemdo
3: Picnic area near bank of lake with just grass. Hammock and pineland plants not too far away. Two DJ blacklights connected to USB powerpack
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?d1=2022-07-27&d2=2022-07-28&nelat=25.39985844427061&nelng=-80.65795215117548&order=asc&order_by=observed_on&place_id=any&project_id=blacklighting-florida&swlat=25.399192134781178&swlng=-80.6611426387987&user_id=joemdo
All of my blacklighting observations from tonight at Long Pine Key: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?d1=2022-07-27&d2=2022-07-28&nelat=25.601714412728438&nelng=-79.84841258250754&order=asc&order_by=observed_on&place_id=any&project_id=blacklighting-florida&swlat=24.918633412414653&swlng=-81.46340281688254&user_id=joemdo
Here's a video showing the DJ blacklights in action at the Pinecrest campground (Big Cypress) from Summer 2019: https://youtu.be/tavmTa7WoPk
Info about the cheapy DJ blacklights used on the second and third sheet, great for getting started with blacklighting: https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/damontighe/11836-diy-moth-light
Blacklighting project for Florida on iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/blacklighting-florida
I had been itching to go blacklighting and had vegetation monitoring work in the HID on Saturday morning so decided to nap on Friday and leave in the middle of the night to blacklight before my vegetation monitoring work. I didn't get my sheets set up till after 2AM (by then the half moon had come out). I set both sheets up along the Gate 2 Trail in Long Pine Key. I had wanted to set up a sheet in HID restoration area 2020 but it was way too windy (probably over 8 knots with stronger gusts). The mosquitoes were somewhat light but picked up quite a bit after 5AM, when the winds eased up a little. I was honestly expecting more action at the sheets but maybe didn't set them up in the best spot and I'm sure the wind and moonlight didn't help. Overall not bad but I am looking forward to trying more spots in better conditions! This observation is from the first sheet described below.
First sheet lit by Bioquip blacklight and later a cheapy DJ blacklight:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?nelat=25.3909948679442&nelng=-80.63851525347474&on=2022-05-21&order=asc&order_by=observed_on&place_id=any&project_id=blacklighting-florida&swlat=25.390328509519005&swlng=-80.63991804878953&user_id=joemdo
Second sheet lit by three DJ blacklights:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?nelat=25.391675796248485&nelng=-80.63730240183622&on=2022-05-21&order=asc&order_by=observed_on&place_id=any&project_id=blacklighting-florida&swlat=25.391009441582124&swlng=-80.63870519715101&user_id=joemdo
All of my blacklighting observations from this night:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?on=2022-05-21&order=asc&order_by=observed_on&place_id=any&project_id=blacklighting-florida&user_id=joemdo
Here's a video showing the DJ blacklights in action at the Pinecrest campground (Big Cypress) from Summer 2019: https://youtu.be/tavmTa7WoPk
Info about the cheapy DJ blacklights used on both sheets, great for getting started with blacklighting: https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/damontighe/11836-diy-moth-light
Blacklighting project for Florida on iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/blacklighting-florida
Started the 2022 City Nature Challenge with a lot of blacklighting. I had five sheets set up in different areas, mostly lit with cheapy DJ blacklights connected to USB powerpacks (the kind used to charge phones).
This observation is from sheet four described below.
1: Mitchell's Landing campground, first campground area. Bioquip blacklight hooked up to the campground outlet.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?nelat=25.755746895753024&nelng=-80.92789229991335&on=2022-04-29&order=asc&order_by=observed_on&place_id=any&project_id=blacklighting-florida&swlat=25.75508256428238&swlng=-80.93072799107044&user_id=joemdo
2: Mitchell's Landing campground, second campground. DJ blacklight connected to USB powerpack.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?nelat=25.755755887564277&nelng=-80.92570411775625&on=2022-04-29&order=asc&order_by=observed_on&place_id=any&project_id=blacklighting-florida&swlat=25.75509155614391&swlng=-80.92853980891334&user_id=joemdo
3: Tree Snail Trail (Tamarind Hammock). DJ blacklight connected to USB powerpack.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?nelat=25.747477184243454&nelng=-80.94486235556553&on=2022-04-29&order=asc&order_by=observed_on&place_id=any&project_id=blacklighting-florida&swlat=25.746148425078704&swlng=-80.95053373787971&user_id=joemdo
4: Open area near pineland habitat down Loop Road. DJ blacklight connected to USB powerpack.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?nelat=25.759964683149978&nelng=-80.9992368213993&on=2022-04-29&order=asc&order_by=observed_on&place_id=any&project_id=blacklighting-florida&swlat=25.759300375275487&swlng=-81.00207251255638&user_id=joemdo
5: Open area near pineland habitat down Loop Road. DJ blacklight connected to USB powerpack, sheet was on the ground with light facing up.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?nelat=25.760631804715654&nelng=-80.99933288273188&on=2022-04-29&order=asc&order_by=observed_on&place_id=any&project_id=blacklighting-florida&swlat=25.75996750057368&swlng=-81.00216857388897&user_id=joemdo
All observations my blacklighting observations from Loop Road on this night:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?nelat=25.935061779589986&nelng=-80.25360325039185&on=2022-04-29&order=asc&order_by=observed_on&place_id=any&project_id=blacklighting-florida&swlat=25.594952276971277&swlng=-81.70547712282098&user_id=joemdo
Here's a video showing the DJ blacklights in action at the Pinecrest campground (Big Cypress) from Summer 2019: https://youtu.be/tavmTa7WoPk
Info about the cheapy DJ blacklights used on the second and third sheet, great for getting started with blacklighting: https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/damontighe/11836-diy-moth-light
Blacklighting project for Florida on iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/blacklighting-florida
Two individuals photographed on the same sheet (pattern used to distinguish them)
Video showing sheet: https://youtube.com/shorts/nitx43SqXrE?feature=share
Observed while blacklighting during the 2023 South Florida City Nature Challenge (CNCSOFLO). I set up three sheets in this area. Moon at 60% illumination, winds weak. This observation is from the first sheet described below.
1: Near bathroom, facing parking area/pines to the north and pines to the south. Lit by Bioquip blacklight (connected to electrical outlet in bathroom with long extension cable) and two cheapy DJ blacklights connected to USB battery packs.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?d1=2023-04-28&d2=2023-04-29&nelat=25.400839729728457&nelng=-80.65816136347864&order=asc&place_id=any&project_id=blacklighting-florida&swlat=25.400173425657673&swlng=-80.65904246914003&user_id=joemdo
2: Picnic area facing lake to the south and pineland to the north. Three (or four?) DJ blacklights connected to USB battery packs
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?d1=2023-04-28&d2=2023-04-29&nelat=25.39985844427061&nelng=-80.65881582247827&order=asc&place_id=any&project_id=blacklighting-florida&swlat=25.399192134781178&swlng=-80.65969692813967&user_id=joemdo
3: Inside Mosier Hammock along the trail. Three or four DJ blacklights connected to USB battery packs
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?d1=2023-04-28&d2=2023-04-29&nelat=25.400764619271772&nelng=-80.65999331223581&order=asc&place_id=any&project_id=blacklighting-florida&swlat=25.399315705182623&swlng=-80.66138671981905&user_id=joemdo
Project page for CNCSOFLO 2023: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-2023-south-florida-cncsoflo/
Website: https://www.cncsoflo.com/
Instagram: @ cncsoflo
All of my blacklighting observations from tonight: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?d1=2023-04-28&d2=2023-04-29&nelat=25.604175458202164&nelng=-80.55882594286926&order=asc&place_id=any&project_id=blacklighting-florida&swlat=25.302237257122066&swlng=-80.83691737353332&user_id=joemdo
Info about the cheapy DJ blacklights I used, great for getting started with blacklighting: https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/damontighe/11836-diy-moth-light
Here's a video showing the DJ blacklights in action at the Pinecrest campground (Big Cypress) from Summer 2019: https://youtu.be/tavmTa7WoPk
Blacklighting project for Florida on iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/blacklighting-florida
Video showing sheet: https://youtube.com/shorts/nitx43SqXrE?feature=share
Observed while blacklighting during the 2023 South Florida City Nature Challenge (CNCSOFLO). I set up three sheets in this area. Moon at 60% illumination, winds weak. This observation is from the first sheet described below.
1: Near bathroom, facing parking area/pines to the north and pines to the south. Lit by Bioquip blacklight (connected to electrical outlet in bathroom with long extension cable) and two cheapy DJ blacklights connected to USB battery packs.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?d1=2023-04-28&d2=2023-04-29&nelat=25.400839729728457&nelng=-80.65816136347864&order=asc&place_id=any&project_id=blacklighting-florida&swlat=25.400173425657673&swlng=-80.65904246914003&user_id=joemdo
2: Picnic area facing lake to the south and pineland to the north. Three (or four?) DJ blacklights connected to USB battery packs
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?d1=2023-04-28&d2=2023-04-29&nelat=25.39985844427061&nelng=-80.65881582247827&order=asc&place_id=any&project_id=blacklighting-florida&swlat=25.399192134781178&swlng=-80.65969692813967&user_id=joemdo
3: Inside Mosier Hammock along the trail. Three or four DJ blacklights connected to USB battery packs
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?d1=2023-04-28&d2=2023-04-29&nelat=25.400764619271772&nelng=-80.65999331223581&order=asc&place_id=any&project_id=blacklighting-florida&swlat=25.399315705182623&swlng=-80.66138671981905&user_id=joemdo
Project page for CNCSOFLO 2023: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-2023-south-florida-cncsoflo/
Website: https://www.cncsoflo.com/
Instagram: @ cncsoflo
All of my blacklighting observations from tonight: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?d1=2023-04-28&d2=2023-04-29&nelat=25.604175458202164&nelng=-80.55882594286926&order=asc&place_id=any&project_id=blacklighting-florida&swlat=25.302237257122066&swlng=-80.83691737353332&user_id=joemdo
Info about the cheapy DJ blacklights I used, great for getting started with blacklighting: https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/damontighe/11836-diy-moth-light
Here's a video showing the DJ blacklights in action at the Pinecrest campground (Big Cypress) from Summer 2019: https://youtu.be/tavmTa7WoPk
Blacklighting project for Florida on iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/blacklighting-florida
Elizabeth and I went to west Texas this weekend for the Texas Shop Hop (fabric and quilt store stuff), and we stopped at several places along the way.
We went to Davis Mountains State Park and had such a great time. It was already windy and chilly, but we sure enjoyed camping here and documenting lots of neat things. :)
National Moth Week iNat Meetup at Red Bluff Nature Preserve - nice spot!
Thanks to Jack & Curtis for bringing out the blacklighting gear!
Hiking / exploring the trails at Arenal Observatory Lodge. An amazing property for naturalists, probably the best we stayed at during our trip to Costa Rica.
Beat from conifers, Abies magnifica and Abies concolor, some Ponderosa pine.
Piles of these, mostly on willows