Scoparia basalis “Many-spotted Scoparia” Crambidae
Point Defiance Park, Tacoma, WA
July 22, 2013
Robert Niese
Our night of mothlighting in Point Defiance Park was chock-full of these adorable little (1cm!) Crambids. Definitely our most abundant moth of the evening! Caterpillars of Scoparia moths are poorly described, but some scientists think they might live in and feed on mosses before reaching adulthood. This might make sense considering that the forests in Point Defiance Park are dripping with mosses!
Happy National Moth Week!
Northwest Naturalist 