Dogbane Tiger Moth

These two moths were doing their thing as we walked along our path through the hayfield this morning. They are: Delicate Cycnia (Cycnia tenera) - Dogbane tiger moth. And seeing them there made perfect sense because there is a lot of dogbane that typically comes up in that field. But. By the time we got back to the field the man who rents it was engaged in cutting hay - so the moths and their dogbane were all gone. I dare say the moths made it out alive, but the host plants they need to deposit the eggs on are no longer there. They are still along the unmowed edge, though, so maybe...

I also worry about the Eastern meadowlarks that nest in that field. Sometimes he cuts really late, which is better. Not this year.

'Twas ever thus.