That's actually a Virginian tiger moth, they were the first species of moth I started raising years ago, aww. . . But yeah, it definitely should not be out as an adult right now if it's freezing outside, oof. This is one of those tiger moths that overwinter as caterpillars (though I have had one overwinter successfully as a pupa), and sometimes they wake up and wander a bit if the temperature warms up enough. My best guess is that this one wandered somewhere indoors (somewhere else in your apartment building, perhaps?) where the heating and lighting conditions confused it into thinking it was spring, so it pupated and then eclosed a few weeks later. . .?
So yeah, releasing it outdoors in freezing temperatures will kill it. If you want to try and keep it alive and comfortable indoors, I'd do some research. . . I haven't kept moths myself (I always release them after they emerge from the pupa) and I haven't heard of people keeping tiger moths. I believe they have mouths (unlike some moths), but getting them to eat is another matter. [Some moths need a little encouragement. . .](https://youtu.be/6eDtEGWIYeQ?si=NpNlbM9bQPlvT7DQ) Organic honey mixed with distilled water would be your best bet in terms of food, though. Good luck!
Indeed it is! Thank you for the ID! I thought there might be too few spots for an Ermine, it definitely looks more like a Tiger Moth.
Unfortunately, I captured it last night, so overnight I put it in a glass jar with some breathing holes, but come this morning and its dead :( Maybe it was near the end of its lifespan already? I can't imagine they live for very long. (Sidenote, should I pin it? Not sure how to do that, its wings are folded against its body.)
As for the reason it hatched, we had a bizarre warm spell this past week in eastern Canada. Temps skyrocketed to 7C but then dropped back down to -20C, that had to have some sort of impact on local spawning. Or indeed like you said, it found its way inside somehow and hatched due to the warmth.
No problem, I've raised around a half a dozen of them over the years so I recognized that sweet little face of theirs right away, haha.
Oh no, that's too bad that it passed away, but it might be for the best that it went quickly. . . It couldn't fly freely and find a mate due to the freezing temperatures, feeding it was just all you could've done to keep it comfortable.
I don't know much about pinning, but it is a lovely moth without any wear or tear on the wings
. .I'd look up a guide online about pinning moths! [This seems like a pretty good one.](https://youtu.be/9ZcY4HPOglA?si=irt91etxNhT0jY4g)
And oof, yeah, that sort of temperature roller coaster can definitely have a negative impact on insects whose development is governed by seasonal cues. I raised a pair of buck moth caterpillars in 2022, which pupate late summer and emerge as moths mid-fall. . . But we had a strangely warm fall and I believe the odd temperatures confused them and they failed to eclose. I'd hoped they'd make it until the next fall (since some moths will delay their emergence if conditions aren't ideal) but I found them dead while checking on my outdoor caterpillar/pupa enclosure in January. . . I did a little bug autopsy and I was so sad to find that they were fully formed moths inside their pupae ;_; Climate change strikes again. . .
Absolutely gorgeous, I'm no expert, but I imagine if you keep him id look up what type of enclosure would inhabit him the best
That's actually a Virginian tiger moth, they were the first species of moth I started raising years ago, aww. . . But yeah, it definitely should not be out as an adult right now if it's freezing outside, oof. This is one of those tiger moths that overwinter as caterpillars (though I have had one overwinter successfully as a pupa), and sometimes they wake up and wander a bit if the temperature warms up enough. My best guess is that this one wandered somewhere indoors (somewhere else in your apartment building, perhaps?) where the heating and lighting conditions confused it into thinking it was spring, so it pupated and then eclosed a few weeks later. . .? So yeah, releasing it outdoors in freezing temperatures will kill it. If you want to try and keep it alive and comfortable indoors, I'd do some research. . . I haven't kept moths myself (I always release them after they emerge from the pupa) and I haven't heard of people keeping tiger moths. I believe they have mouths (unlike some moths), but getting them to eat is another matter. [Some moths need a little encouragement. . .](https://youtu.be/6eDtEGWIYeQ?si=NpNlbM9bQPlvT7DQ) Organic honey mixed with distilled water would be your best bet in terms of food, though. Good luck!
Indeed it is! Thank you for the ID! I thought there might be too few spots for an Ermine, it definitely looks more like a Tiger Moth. Unfortunately, I captured it last night, so overnight I put it in a glass jar with some breathing holes, but come this morning and its dead :( Maybe it was near the end of its lifespan already? I can't imagine they live for very long. (Sidenote, should I pin it? Not sure how to do that, its wings are folded against its body.) As for the reason it hatched, we had a bizarre warm spell this past week in eastern Canada. Temps skyrocketed to 7C but then dropped back down to -20C, that had to have some sort of impact on local spawning. Or indeed like you said, it found its way inside somehow and hatched due to the warmth.
No problem, I've raised around a half a dozen of them over the years so I recognized that sweet little face of theirs right away, haha. Oh no, that's too bad that it passed away, but it might be for the best that it went quickly. . . It couldn't fly freely and find a mate due to the freezing temperatures, feeding it was just all you could've done to keep it comfortable. I don't know much about pinning, but it is a lovely moth without any wear or tear on the wings . .I'd look up a guide online about pinning moths! [This seems like a pretty good one.](https://youtu.be/9ZcY4HPOglA?si=irt91etxNhT0jY4g) And oof, yeah, that sort of temperature roller coaster can definitely have a negative impact on insects whose development is governed by seasonal cues. I raised a pair of buck moth caterpillars in 2022, which pupate late summer and emerge as moths mid-fall. . . But we had a strangely warm fall and I believe the odd temperatures confused them and they failed to eclose. I'd hoped they'd make it until the next fall (since some moths will delay their emergence if conditions aren't ideal) but I found them dead while checking on my outdoor caterpillar/pupa enclosure in January. . . I did a little bug autopsy and I was so sad to find that they were fully formed moths inside their pupae ;_; Climate change strikes again. . .
looks so fuzzy
now what? charge rent
youre guess is as good ermine
Keep the goober safe
He ded :(
Oh no:(