Parasemia plantaginis “Wood Tiger Moth” Arctiidae (now Erebidae)

Missoula, MT
June 15, 2014
Robert Niese

This common, variably-patterned tiger moth is a dayflier and often seen in the moist valleys around Missoula during our peak hiking season. It has a circumboreal distribution, but is the only member of its genus in our area.

Alucita montana “Montana Six-plumed Moth” Alucitidae

Missoula, MT
November 20, 2013
Robert Niese

This is a member of a rather large group of moths that fly using rackets, not paddles. The “plumes” of the plume moths are remarkably similar to feathers on a bird. Learn more about how these remarkable organisms are capable of flying here.