Bluish Spring Moth, CARROT SEED MOTh, LITTLE WHITE LICHEN MOTH, Cadbury's Lichen Moth, Three-lined Balsa, and Coastal Plain Meganola
Little White Lichen moth. This is a fairly common species in our area. I have found them every month from April through September.
This Carrot Seed Moth is nectaring on a teasel flower at Cox Arboretum. These moths are active in daytime and are often seen nectaring at flowers. They are very common in our area. I see Carrot Seed Moths in large numbers in July, with stragglers in August and September.
Here is a Little White Lichen moth in a more natural setting. This moth was resting on tree bark at Clifton Gorge.
Carrot Seed Moths were introduced from Europe. Their larvae feed on Queen Anne's Lace, among other things. Note the two dark spots, one on each wing. These are good field marks, although the spots can be faded in some individuals (as below).
Bluish Spring Moth at Germantown MetroPark. These day-flying moths bear a strong resemblance to Spring Azure butterflies, and they might easily be mistaken for that species, although their flight is weaker and more "moth-like." This individual was nectaring on redbud blossoms. Photographed April 29, 2023.
Another Bluish Spring Moth at Germantown MetroPark. This individual was puddling at damp mud. Photographed on April 18, 2021.
Cadbury's Lichen Moth, also known as the Cadbury's Mystique (a name I like even better!). This moth was photographed at Hocking Hills (eastern Ohio) on May 13, 2018. It is my only sighting.
Three-lined Balsa Moth. It looks like a small, finely-grained wood chip. These moths come to my lights in May and June.
Coastal Plain Meganola. The name is a little misleading since these moths have a large range in the eastern U.S. They visit my lights in April and May.