Featured Moth #1

Nigrita Bagworm Moth (Cryptothelea nigrita)

Hodges #441

Family: Psychidae

This obscure moth is rarely seen, spending much of its time inside a bag cocoon.  As such, it is a member of the Psychidae family of bagworm moths.

I noticed numerous hanging bags on a boxwood plant in April, here in the Houston area.  I decided to investigate by placing one inside a jar with holes for air.  Before long, the black moth with fuzzy antennae emerged.  After getting pictures, I released it.  The moth spiraled upward towards the sky.  I've never seen a moth fly in that manner.

Sightings in the first half of May 2012

3688 Garden Tortrix (Clepsis peritna)

4992 Genista Broom Moth (Uresiphita reversalis)
5156 Lucerne Moth (Nomophila nearctica) 

5218 Four-Spotted Palpita Moth (Palpita quadristigmalis) 

5464 Snowy Urola Moth (Urola nivalis) 

6586 Brown-Shaded Gray Moth (Iridopsis defectaria) 

8601 Cellar Melipotis moth (Melipotis cellaris) 

8801 Ilia Underwing (Catocala ilia) 

8887 Cabbage Looper Moth (Trichoplusia ni) 

8907 Bilobed Looper Moth (Megalographa biloba) 

9246 Clear Dagger Moth (Acronicta clarescens) 

9669 Yellow-Striped Armyworm Moth (Spodoptera ornithogalli) 

9670 Velvet Armyworm Moth (Spodoptera latifascia) 

9688 The Wedgeling (Galgula partita) 

10911 Green Cutworm Moth (Anicla infecta) 


Also very likely: 371, 5288

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