Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1166377

Southern Flannel Moth
Megalopyge opercularis

Observation date: July 01, 2018
Date notes: Time and Date of first finding, exact - photos taken half an hour later.
Submitted by: Englishman
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: I noticed this lying 'dead?' on top of a fence post and brought it home to ID. It did not sting (so I'm guessing it's quite dead) and I guess it either drowned somehow in the heavy rain we had just before I found it or perhaps it was a victim of the anti-mosquito spray-truck (post was next to road) although I didn't hear them come by last night and I usually do. Looking through a magnifying glass I'm not sure it's 100% still so there may be a parasite inside it? Perhaps it was about to pupate and was washed off a twig or leaf? I'll keep it for 48 hours in case there's some chance it's still alive.
Status: Resident
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: July 03, 2018
Coordinator notes: None.
Checklist region(s): Hernando County, United States, Florida