Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1020913

Southern Flannel Moth
Megalopyge opercularis

Observation date: November 30, 2014
Submitted by: 4Butterfliesand...
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Very large: at least three inches long, eating Sugar Hackberry tree. Very gold and furry, almost like dog hair, thick, and apparently two white whisps on the backside facing the camera, though these are small, and not the large white antennae or golf clubs like some species have. This is mainly LARGE, furry, and fairly bright gold. On young Sugar Hackberry tree near some Asclapius, where Queens (in Monarch family) were often visiting, ... and near Frostweed, Scarlet Sage, Pyramid Bush, and other native plants of the Rio Grande Delta. Also an alien: Norfolk Pine growing as companion to Sugar Hackberry.
Status: Resident
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: January 01, 2015
Coordinator notes: None.
Checklist region(s): United States, Texas, Cameron County