This is the Banded Tussock Moth (Halysidota tessellaris), a species I particularly loved discovering with that blue and orange mohawk look! It decided to stay very close to the porch light. It ended up a little too close getting some cobwebs on it that you can see in the profile view. However, it seemed to have been able to shake them off because the next time I checked on what was at my lights I did not see it. The more mothing I do the more addictive it becomes, and I can see why Roger Tory Peterson spent so much time on it…but I cannot possibly imagine how he did it without beautifully illustrated and deeply informative field guides, plus all sorts of help via the Internet and social media. No wonder he was inspired to change the world of natural history forever.
Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
