edwardrooks's Identifications

The brightly colored hindwings of the Underwing Moths are like pretty petticoats under a dress.

Drasteria ochracea is a moth in the Graphic Owlets (Tribe Melipotiniowlet) and in the Underwing, Tiger, Tussock Moths (Erebidae) family. It is found from British Columbia south through the western parts of the United States. False Underwing moths have a wingspan of 24-44mm (up to 1.7 inches). Their wings when folded resemble tree bark. Brighter colors emerge as they open their forewings.

Moth Photographers Group: https://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=8626

Butterflies and Moths of North America: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Drasteria-ochracea

BugGuide: https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Drasteria%20ochracea

Field Guide to California Insects, by Kip Will, J. Gross, D. Rubinoff , J. Powell, 2nd ed., 2020, pp. 374-374.

Link to beautiful photo/confirmed observation by INat @ edwardrooks: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/207963630

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In California, there are about 240 species of butterflies. There are more than 3,000 species of MOTHS, which represent 4 suborders in about 50 families. Butterflies have clubbed antennae, moths do not. Many moths are nocturnal, but not all.

MOTH and CATERPILLAR (General references):

Field Guide to California Insects, by Kip Will, J. Gross, D. Rubinoff , J. Powell, 2nd ed., 2020 (Lepidoptera, pp. 347-426)

BugGuide: Butterflies and Moths (U.S. and Canada) clickable categories or use search bar: https://bugguide.net/node/view/57

Moth Photographers Group https://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=7872&state=CA
(Be sure to limit the interface to California. The website is a little clunky but it’s better set up for moth taxonomy than BugGuide)

Glossary of Butterfly (and Moth) Terminology: https://butterfly.ucdavis.edu/resources/glossary

Caterpillar Anatomy Diagram and Butterfly/Moth Basics: https://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/butterfly/activities/printouts/caterpillarprintout.shtml Life Cycle of a Butterfly: Egg --> Larva (the caterpillar) --> Pupa (the chrysalis or cocoon) --> Adult.

Butterflies and Moths of North America https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species_search

Geometer Moths (Geometridae family) in Monterey County: checklist with photos compiled by INat Kueda https://www.inaturalist.org/check_lists/260565-Geometridae-of-Monterey-County--CA--US?page=2

Caterpillars: INaturalist Project https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/california-caterpillars

Moths of Western North America by Jerry A. Powell and Paul A. Opler, 2009 (in-depth, technical, some photos)

Wagner's Caterpillars of Western North America (coming soon) "1450+ species accounts in progress" INat thebals 6/6/23.

Saw a few water striders moving around on the water, and taking a moment to be still as I got closer to the edge of the creek. Not sure exactly which species they are, but they are certainly part of the Gerridae family given their apparent surface tension and mouthparts. My guess is that it might be a common pond skater, but I won't make that observation as I have little knowledge of entomology.

Bones found in owl pellet #CCL-01

Skull length: ~45 mm

Here is the observation for the pellet itself:
Pellet #CCL-01: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/199272696

This pellet also contained the remains of:
(Sora Rail) https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/199408216